Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says knee injury is first of his career

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he is recovering steadily from the serious injury he suffered while playing for Deportivo La Coruna against Real Madrid.

The Gabon international, who had made an impressive start to the season, said the injury was the first in his career to keep him out for more than 10 days.

“This is the first time in my career that I have suffered an injury which has kept me out for more than 10 days,” Aubameyang told reporters.

He added that his condition was improving and that he was no longer relying on crutches.

“I feel better day by day and I no longer need the crutches,” he said. “The most important thing for me is not to feel any discomfort in my knee, so I will return gradually and without rushing.”

Medical examinations confirmed that Aubameyang had suffered an injury to the articular cartilage in his right knee.

The forward had scored in five successive rounds before the injury and had also provided two assists in the seven matches he had played this season.

Aubameyang matches La Liga record

Aubameyang’s run of five consecutive goals also saw him equal a record in La Liga.

He became the first player in 16 years to score in five successive La Liga matches, a feat last achieved during the 2009-2010 season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the previous player to reach the mark, doing so with Barcelona in 2009-2010.

The first player to achieve the feat was Jose Vilanovia, who scored in five consecutive league matches during the 1939-1940 season.

Only 16 players had previously reached the mark in La Liga, making Aubameyang the 17th player in the competition’s history to do so.