Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his decision to retire from international football, saying he was “humiliated” by his exclusion from the national team and later reinstatement following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Aubameyang, the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer, was blamed by the Gabonese government for the team’s disappointing AFCON campaign.
“They humiliated and smeared me even though I played at the AFCON while injured,” the 37-year-old said during a television interview.
“This is the last straw, and I’d rather stop here.”
Gabon exited the tournament at the group stage after losing all three of their matches, with their final defeat coming against Ivory Coast.
“It’s a part of our national identity that has been weakened,” Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said at the time.
Following the poor campaign, the government dismissed the coaching staff, suspended the national team indefinitely and dropped Aubameyang and fellow veteran Bruno Ecuele Manga, 38, from the squad.
The decision to sideline the two experienced players triggered strong reactions from Gabonese supporters.
“I think the team’s problems run much deeper than the little person that I am,” said Aubameyang, who enjoyed a prolific career with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal and established himself as one of Europe’s leading strikers.
The veteran forward is now embarking on what could be his final European challenge after leaving Marseille for Deportivo La Coruna, who have returned to La Liga following a lengthy absence.
New Gabon coach Sebastien Migne will now have to prepare for the team’s upcoming AFCON qualifying matches without Aubameyang.
Gabon have been drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Niger and Lesotho, with Morocco having reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.