Aubameyang Retires From Gabon Duty, Citing "Humiliation" Over AFCON Fallout

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his retirement from international football with Gabon, saying he felt "humiliated" by the treatment he received from the country's government following a disappointing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

"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," the 37-year-old said in a television interview. Gabon crashed out of the tournament in the group stage after three straight defeats, prompting the government to fire the coaching staff, suspend the squad, and single out Aubameyang and veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga for exclusion, despite both later being reinstated.

Aubameyang leaves as Gabon's all-time leading scorer, with 40 international goals and more than 80 caps across six AFCON tournaments. New head coach Sebastien Migne must now prepare for AFCON qualifiers against Morocco, Niger and Lesotho without his country's most decorated forward.

The announcement comes in the same week as retirements from Lionel Messi, Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Llorente, capping an unusually eventful few days for international football farewells. Aubameyang will continue his club career with Deportivo La Coruna, whom he joined from Marseille in July.