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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has dramatically confirmed his retirement from international football, pointing to a complete breakdown in his relationship with the Gabonese authorities. The experienced striker said he felt “humiliated” by the way he was treated after the country’s disappointing campaign at the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

A bitter ending for the Panthers captain

Gabon’s all-time top scorer, Aubameyang, has formally ended his international career after a spell of severe tension with the country’s football leadership. The 37-year-old forward, for years the global face of Gabonese football, said his decision came from a feeling of betrayal and public disrespect from government officials following the side’s failure at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking openly about the fallout in a television interview, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star made his feelings clear about the way he had been handled. Aubameyang said: “They humiliated me and tarnished my image when I played in the Africa Cup of Nations while injured. It was the last straw, and I prefer to leave it at that.”

Political fallout and national team suspension

The strain between the player and the state intensified quickly after Gabon endured a poor group-stage exit in Morocco. The Panthers failed to take even a single point, losing all three matches, including a final 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast. After that sporting setback, the Gabonese government took the unusual step of intervening directly in football matters.

That political pressure brought major action affecting both the coaching staff and the senior squad. Speaking at the time, Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema voiced serious concern, saying that an important part of their national identity was being damaged. The government then chose to dissolve the entire technical staff and suspend the national team until further notice. Importantly, Aubameyang and fellow veteran Bruno Ecuele Manga, 38, were specifically removed from the squad altogether.

Deeper problems in Gabonese football

In spite of his outstanding international return of 40 goals in 83 appearances for Gabon, Aubameyang was portrayed as one of the main reasons for the team’s struggles. But the striker was quick to argue that the issues affecting the national side go far beyond any one player, and he believes the attention on his own performances and behaviour has distracted from the structural problems troubling the sport in his country.

Aubameyang was adamant that whether he was present or absent was not the key reason behind the team’s decline. He said: “I think the national team’s problems run much deeper than the insignificant role I play.”

Migne faces a rebuilding challenge

The retirement of such an influential figure leaves a huge gap in the Gabon squad as they build towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Drawn in Group A with Morocco, Niger and Lesotho, new head coach Sebastien Migne must now take on the difficult challenge of guiding the campaign without his most dangerous attacking player.