Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Announces International Retirement.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Announces International Retirement.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced that he would no longer represent Gabon at the international level due to medical concerns.
After playing junior football for France, the former Arsenal striker switched allegiances for adult football. He thereafter became the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer, with 30 goals in 72 matches since his first cap in 2009.
Aubameyang has led the national squad for several years. As a result, he scored the country’s first Olympic goal during the London 2012 Olympics.
His final game should have been in this year’s African Cup of Nations. But unfortunately he signed a contract with Covid before Gabon’s first game. Following a diagnosis of “cardiac lesions,” he returned to north London for more medical examinations.
However, it is thought that the precautionary tests revealed nothing that would affect his playing time, allowing him to complete a January deadline day move to Barcelona.
And now that Gabon’s Football Federation has confirmed Aubameyang’s plan to withdraw from the national squad. He will be able to focus entirely on his accomplishments at the Camp Nou.
“The Panthers captain will no longer be with the national team for the upcoming qualifiers, the final phase of which is slated in Cote d’Ivoire”. According to the press statement.
“I am announcing the end of my international career after 13 years of proudly representing my country.”
“I’ll never forget the day I made my debut or the day I returned from Nigeria with the African Ballon d’Or.”
“It was an incredible experience to share it with everyone.”
“I want to congratulate our President, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, for always supporting the Panthers and working to improve football in our nation. I’d also want to thank all of my coaches, staff, and players who have helped me along the way.”
“Finally, I appreciate my father. He has instilled in me the urge to emulate him, hoping to make him proud by donning our colors.”
Aubameyang became the first Gabonese player to win the African Footballer of the Year award in 2015, which was most recently won by Sadio Mane of Liverpool.