Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced that he is stepping back from the national team, saying he felt “humiliated” by his exclusion and subsequent reinstatement after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The 37-year-old, Gabon’s all-time leading scorer, said he played in the tournament while injured. Gabon lost all three group-stage matches, including its final game against Ivory Coast.
Why Aubameyang decided to leave
The Gabonese government singled out Aubameyang as responsible for the AFCON failure, while President Brice Oligui Nguema said the result had weakened part of the country’s national identity. The government then dismissed the coaching staff, suspended the team until further notice and sidelined Aubameyang and 38-year-old Bruno Ecuele Manga.
“They humiliated and smeared me even though I played at the AFCON while injured,” Aubameyang said in a television interview. “This is the last straw, and I’d rather stop here.” He added that Gabon’s problems ran deeper than one player.
What happens to Gabon’s team
The suspensions of Aubameyang and Manga prompted outrage among Gabonese supporters. Aubameyang’s departure leaves new coach Sebastien Migne to prepare for the team’s first qualifiers later this month without Gabon’s record scorer.
Gabon is in Group A for the qualifying campaign with Morocco, Niger and Lesotho. Aubameyang has also left Marseille to join Deportivo La Coruna, which has returned to La Liga.
What happens next
Sebastien Migne will prepare Gabon for its first qualifiers later this month, with Aubameyang no longer available for national-team duty.
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