Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has officially stepped down from international duty with Gabon, declaring that he felt “humiliated” by the fallout surrounding the team’s performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The 37-year-old forward, who holds the record as the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer, stated that the treatment he received during and after the tournament was the final straw in his decision to retire from the national side.
Reflecting on the controversy, the former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund star expressed deep frustration during a recent television interview. “They humiliated and smeared me even though I played at the AFCON while injured,” Aubameyang said, adding that he would rather end his international tenure now than continue under such conditions. He emphasized that the issues plaguing the squad are systemic rather than individual, noting, “I think the team’s problems run much deeper than the little person that I am.”
Gabon’s tournament campaign ended in disappointment with three consecutive group-stage losses, including a final defeat to Ivory Coast. In the aftermath, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema criticized the squad, stating that the national identity had been weakened. This led to a government-led overhaul that saw the entire coaching staff dismissed and the national team suspended indefinitely. As part of these disciplinary measures, both Aubameyang and 38-year-old veteran Bruno Ecuele Manga were sidelined, a move that triggered significant backlash from supporters.
As he moves on from international football, Aubameyang has shifted his focus to a new challenge in Europe, having departed Marseille to join Deportivo La Coruna following their return to La Liga. Meanwhile, Gabon’s newly appointed head coach, Sebastien Migne, must now prepare for upcoming qualifiers for next year’s AFCON without his captain. Gabon is currently drawn into Group A alongside Niger, Lesotho, and World Cup quarter-finalists Morocco. The report also notes that the top scorer in the history of the Panthers was singled out by the Gabonese government as responsible for the AFCON failure.
