World News
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang retires from Gabon national team citing government mistreatment
The 37-year-old captain departs international football after being publicly blamed for Gabon's group-stage exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The short version
- Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang announced his retirement from the national team following fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
- The decision follows actions by the Gabonese government, which suspended the team, dismissed coaching staff, and sidelined Aubameyang after three group-stage losses.
- Gabon's new coach Sebastien Migne will lead the squad into upcoming AFCON qualifiers without the country's all-time top scorer.
Key facts
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has retired from the Gabon national football team, citing feeling humiliated and smeared by the Gabonese government.[Al Jazeera]
- Following Gabon's elimination from the 2025 AFCON group stage in Morocco, the Gabonese government dismissed the coaching staff, suspended the team, and sidelined veteran players Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga.[Al Jazeera]
- Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema stated after the tournament exit that Gabon's national identity had been weakened by the performance.[Al Jazeera]
- Aubameyang stated in a television interview that he participated in the 2025 AFCON while managing an injury.[Al Jazeera]
- New head coach Sebastien Migne is preparing Gabon for upcoming AFCON qualification fixtures against Morocco, Niger, and Lesotho without Aubameyang.[Al Jazeera]