On Saturday, Joel Matip was at the heart of the Liverpool defence as the Reds lost 2-0 to Hull City. A day later, his country lifted their fifth Africa Cup of Nations title.
Matip was nowhere to be seen among the celebrating Indomitable Lions due to his decision to put club over country. During the time Cameroon were at AFCON in Gabon, Liverpool won just one game - an FA Cup replay with Plymouth Argyle.
The centre-back's decision to retire early from international football caused some hilarious responses on Twitter.
Joel Matip missed out on winning AFCON with Cameroon so he could lose to Swansea, Southampton, Wolves & Hull with Liverpool.
— I hate football (@AnfieldRd96) February 5, 2017
Hero.
Joel Matip when Egypt were leading 1-0 VS when Aboubakar scored that late goal for Cameroon
— SC: EdemReigns (@EdemReigns) February 5, 2017
pic.twitter.com/MdyL9hsb1N
Cameroon celebrates, West Africa celebrates, Africa celebrates - Matip is out of the League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League top 4 #CitiSports
— Edwin Kwakofi (@EdKwakofi) February 5, 2017
Matip and those Cameroon players who turned down Afcon watching their tv like pic.twitter.com/5VrC71LVOe
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) February 5, 2017
Joel Matip could have won the Africa cup with Cameroon but decided to stay at Liverpool and lose to Hull City
— Mootaz (@MHChehade) February 5, 2017
When Joel Matip meets the guy that told him to ignore Cameroon now that they have won the Africa Cup of Nations: pic.twitter.com/M9CdgsdTht
— Soccer Nation (@SoccerNationNg) February 5, 2017
Joel Matip sacrificed playing in AFCON final to enjoy the pleasure of getting beaten by Hull. Respect.
— SJ (@sarahjayneeee_) February 5, 2017
Joel Matip's reaction after seeing the Cameroon result pic.twitter.com/gwpAZxFaHy
— Freebets.co.uk (@freebetscouk) February 5, 2017
Matip turned his back on Cameroon for this. pic.twitter.com/Ec7kbTjre5
— Premier League (@EPLBible) February 5, 2017
Since moving from Schalke in the summer, Matip has made 15 league appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side, scoring one goal. After a hugely disappointing January, the Reds have fallen to fifth, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.