Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang puts an end to his international career with Gabon. The FC Barcelona forward sent a letter to his country's soccer federation (FEGAFOOT) on Tuesday in which he announced his decision to retire from the national team after 13 years representing the shirt. The announcement came just two weeks before the start of the qualifying matches for the 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will start on June 4.
"After 13 years proudly representing my country, I want to announce that I am ending my international career," began Aubameyang's letter, made public by FEGAFOOT. "I want to thank the Gabonese people and all those who have supported me, both in good times and bad," she continued.
After playing in the lower categories of the French national team, the current Barça striker made his debut for Gabon on March 28, 2009. By stepping onto the pitch, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Pierre Aubameyang, who defended the shirt of 'the panteras' on 29 occasions and who wore the captain's armband in the country's first participation in the Africa Cup, in 1994. “I want to thank my father, who gave me the desire to do the same as him, and I hope that You have felt proud seeing me wear our colors,” the letter concluded.
Aubameyang played a total of 72 games for the Gabonese national team, with which he scored 30 goals. He played in a total of four Africa Cups and was part of the team that represented the country at the 2012 Olympic Games. He scored on his debut, in a World Cup qualifying match against Morocco, while his first appearance in front of Gabonese fans it came on June 6, 2009, with a 3-0 victory against Togo. "I will keep many good memories," he acknowledged, among which he highlighted being able to present in society the award for best African soccer player that he won in 2015.
The striker also wanted to send a message of thanks to the coaches, the members of the coaching staff and the players with whom he has shared a dressing room, in addition to the president of FEGAFOOT, Ali Bongo Ondimna, who has always "worked so that football evolve” in the country.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's last match for the Gabon national team took place on January 4, 2022. He captained the team in a friendly match against Mauritania that ended in a 1-1 draw. He himself was in charge of opening the scoring, from the penalty spot. The then Arsenal footballer was going to be part of the team that played in the Africa Cup earlier this year, but he had to leave the concentration after possible heart problems were detected in medical tests.
“The players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Axel Meyé and Mario Lemina have just overcome covid-19, but they will not be able to play this match. The tests would show heart injuries and CAF does not want to take any risk," reported the medical commission of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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