Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang voices anger as Gabon international future is put on hold

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has officially announced that he is stepping back from the Gabon national team after being blamed for the country’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign.

The 37-year-old, Gabon’s captain and record goalscorer, says he feels deeply bitter about the treatment he received after playing in the tournament despite carrying an injury. Speaking to Canal+ Afrique, the Deportivo La Coruna forward said he had been unfairly targeted and humiliated by the authorities.

Aubameyang’s decision follows a turbulent period for the Pantheres, who were eliminated in the first round of the competition after losing all three of their matches.

In response to that early exit, Gabon’s president and government suspended the national team, dissolved its technical staff and removed two long-serving senior players from the set-up: Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga.

Those government measures immediately prompted anger and confusion among Gabon supporters. Aubameyang has now made clear that his involvement with the Pantheres is being placed on hold after he was singled out as the main figure responsible for the failure at CAN 2025.

His comments centred on the way he was treated after agreeing to take part in the tournament while injured. The subsequent decision to exclude him, followed by his reinstatement, added to his sense of grievance and left him feeling that his reputation had been damaged unjustly.

The dispute marks a major change for a player who has been central to Gabonese football for many years. Aubameyang has served as the team’s emblematic captain and remains the leading scorer in the country’s history.

Gabon must now begin a new phase under head coach Sebastien Migne. The team will do so without Aubameyang and after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Pantheres’ next stated objective is to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Their rebuilding process will therefore take place without the player who has been their most recognisable attacking figure and principal goalscorer.

Aubameyang’s immediate focus will return to club football with Deportivo La Coruna. The Spanish side are due to play their fourth league match of the season against Villarreal.

The betting company 1xbet lists Deportivo La Coruna at odds of 5.80 to win that fixture, with a draw priced at 4.30 and a Villarreal victory at 1.53.