Aubameyang Steps Down from Gabon National Team Following AFCON Exclusion

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his decision to step back from the Gabon national team, citing feelings of humiliation related to his exclusion and subsequent reinstatement after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. Aubameyang, who is the top scorer in the history of the Gabonese national team, was criticized by the Gabonese government for the team's failure in the tournament, where they were eliminated in the group stage after three defeats, including a loss to Ivory Coast. In a television interview, the 37-year-old stated, "They humiliated and smeared me even though I played at the AFCON while injured. This is the last straw, and I’d rather stop here." Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema commented on the situation, saying, "It’s a part of our national identity that has been weakened." Following the team's poor performance, the government dismissed the coaching staff, suspended the national team, and sidelined both Aubameyang and fellow veteran Bruno Ecuele Manga, leading to public outrage among Gabonese supporters. Aubameyang remarked, "I think the team’s problems run much deeper than the little person that I am." He has recently left Marseille to join Deportivo La Coruna, a club that has just returned to La Liga. The new Gabon national team coach, Sebastien Migne, will now prepare for upcoming qualifiers for the next AFCON without Aubameyang, as Gabon is set to compete in Group A alongside Morocco, Niger, and Lesotho.