Aubameyang Calls Time On International Career

Ayomikun Elemikan

Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his retirement from international football.

The former Arsenal man played 72 games for the senior men’s national football team of Gabon and had been captain of the side until the time of his retirement.

In a letter to the Gabonese FA, Aubameyang wrote: “After 13 years of pride in representing my country, I announce that I am ending my international career.

“I would like to thank the Gabonese people and all those who have supported me in the good and the bad times.

“I will keep a lot of good memories like the day I made my debut at romnisports, or the day I came back from Nigeria with the African Ballon d’Or.

“And sharing it with all the people was an unforgettable moment. I thank our President, his Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba who has always supported the Panthers and has always worked for football to evolve in our country.

“I would also like to thank all my coaches, staff and the players that I have come across during this career.

“Finally, I thank my father who gave me the desire to do like him, hoping to have made him proud by wearing our colours.”

Aubameyang had widely been expected to don the colours of the Panthers at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations but he was unable to make it to the biennial tournament after contracting Covid19 shortly before joining up with his Gabonese team-mates.

The Gabon FA then revealed that they had discovered lesions on Aubameyang’s heart.

But after he got back to London the former Arsenal man was cleared as healthy and fit.

The 32-year-old joined Spanish giants Barcelona soon after leaving the Emirates outfit by mutual consent.

He has been an instant hit since his move to the Nou Camp, netting 11 times in 16 La Liga outings.

The former St-Etienne and Borussia Dortmund striker made his international bow in 2009 and went on to find the back of the net 30 times in 72 appearances.

He represented Gabon at the 2012 and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.