Aston Villa star and Belgium international Amadou Onana is making waves both on and off the pitch. Not only is he gearing up for his club’s historic UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final clash against Paris, but he’s also carving out a name for himself in music under the alias 24AM. And now, he’s bringing both worlds together on UEFA’s brand-new show, Off-Pitch.
Off-Pitch is UEFA’s latest venture, a show that merges the energy of the UCL with live music, offering fans a fresh way to experience the competition. Featuring a house band, real-time musical reactions, and a panel of football-savvy content creators, the show is all about the culture surrounding the game.
As a special guest on the show, Onana gave fans an inside look at Aston Villa’s UCL journey, his return from injury, and his ambitions for European glory. But he didn’t just talk football – he also performed.
When he’s not bossing the midfield, Onana is in the studio making music. Performing as 24AM – a nod to his squad number and initials – he’s already making an impact in the music world. His debut single, Check on Me, showcases his bilingual skills in English and French and brings his passion for music to life.
A natural fit for Off-Pitch, Onana took the mic and performed his track live, blending his two biggest loves – football and music – in a way fans have rarely seen before.
Onana also revealed the songs that define key moments in his football journey:
- His UCL debut: DJ Khaled – God Did: “I’m a man of faith. God plays the biggest role in my life, even before football or family.”
- His career so far: Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness (CRG): “People doubted me at every stage, but I’ve always believed in myself.”
- If Aston Villa wins the UCL? 24AM – Check on Me “Of course, I’d put on my own track!”
Onana isn’t the only footballer exploring music. He teased an unreleased track with close friend Alex Iwobi, saying, “We’ve got a song together… maybe we’ll drop it soon!”
Off-Pitch
Filmed inside a music venue, Off-Pitch transforms the pre-match build-up by featuring live musical interludes from a house band, real-time musical reactions to key discussions, and a dynamic panel of social-first broadcasters and content creators, each with a dedicated following of young, passionate football fans across Europe.
Leading the panel is Culture Cams, a seasoned football YouTuber and podcast personality, alongside Formz, a lyricist known for his viral sporting rap recaps. Nieve Petruzziello (Stuntpegg) rounds out the team, bringing a decade of YouTube experience and widely respected football analysis.
Bringing live music to the forefront of Off-Pitch, renowned DJ and producer Toddla T – who has worked with artists Headie One, AJ Tracey, and Stormzy – has curated a hand-picked house band. Their role is elevate the discussion with spontaneous musical interludes and provide the perfect backdrop for Formz’s signature rap monologue, which recaps the biggest stories from the UCL.
With Off-Pitch set to continue throughout the UCL knockout rounds – including a special event in Munich for the final – expect more moments where football and music collide.
Catch Off-Pitch on UEFA’s YouTube channel and UEFA TV, with highlights on UEFA’s social platforms.
