Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced he is stepping back from international duty, stating he felt "humiliated" by his treatment after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The top scorer in the history of the Gabonese national team, often called the Panthers, was singled out by the Gabonese government as responsible for the team's AFCON failure.

Aubameyang, 37, said in a television interview that he was "humiliated and smeared even though I played at the AFCON while injured." He described the recent events as "the last straw" and indicated his preference to "stop here." Gabon was eliminated from the AFCON in the group stage after suffering three defeats, the final loss coming against Ivory Coast.

Following the team's elimination, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema commented that "It's a part of our national identity that has been weakened." In response to the performance, the government dismissed the coaching staff, suspended the team indefinitely, and sidelined key players including Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga. The suspension of these veteran players led to significant public outcry among Gabonese supporters.

Aubameyang suggested that the team's issues are "much deeper than the little person that I am." The striker, who previously enjoyed a successful career in Europe with clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, recently moved from Marseille to Deportivo La Coruna, who have returned to Spain's La Liga.

The new national team coach for Gabon, Sebastien Migne, will now need to prepare his squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers without Aubameyang. Gabon has been drawn into Group A for the qualifiers, alongside World Cup quarter-finalists Morocco, Niger, and Lesotho.

Aubameyang's decision marks the end of a significant chapter for the Gabonese national team, where he has been a prominent figure and their leading goalscorer. His international career spanned over a decade, representing Gabon in multiple AFCON tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.

The fallout from the 2025 AFCON campaign has highlighted underlying issues within Gabonese football, prompting governmental intervention. The team's performance and the subsequent reactions have raised questions about player accountability and the management of national sporting teams.

As Gabon looks ahead to the next AFCON cycle, the absence of their most prolific striker presents a considerable challenge for Coach Migne. The team will need to find new leadership and scoring threats to compete effectively in their qualifying group.