The Bayern Munich striker refused to play for the Indomitable Lions in their third-place play-off against Burkina Faso.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting played for Cameroon in their first four games of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Indomitable Lions manager Toni Conceicao kept him on the bench for his side’s quarter-final and semi-final games.
The Portuguese manager listed the Bayern Munich striker in his lineup for Cameroon’s third-place play-off against Burkina Faso. However, Choupu-Moting refused to play, with sources saying he has decided to never play again under Conceicao.
In an interview with BBC, the 32-year-old spoke opened up on his frustration over the manager’s decision.
“Especially what happened in the quarter-final and semi-final when the coach didn’t count on me for me it was a kind of disrespect,” he said.
“I came here to help the team to win the Afcon I am not a young 18-year-old player and I want to play and to give everything. At the end of the day I respect every decision from the coach you have to as he is the boss but you don’t have to understand it – so I don’t understand.
“This is the reason I told him I was not fit to play today [Saturday]. But I will always be happy to represent Cameroon. It was just difficult.”
Choupo-Moting will now return to Munich after Cameroon finished third in the tournament. The striker will most likely be available for Bayern’s upcoming game against Bochum on Saturday.
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