Aubameyang wants to return to Gabon one year after his international retirement – Sportsstar

Forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his return to the Gabon national team a year after retiring from international football, citing the influence of the country’s president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, in his decision to return.

The Chelsea striker, who as a youngster could also play for France or Spain, has had a long relationship with the Gabonese Football Association since making his national team debut in 2009 and resigning in May last year after scoring 30 goals in 72 appearances.

But the 33-year-old, by far the most successful player Gabon has produced, announced on Tuesday that he is available again for the national team and spoke to coach Patrice Neveu.

“A few days ago I had the immense honor of being received by the President of the Republic (of Gabon) Ali Bongo Ondimba and at the same time listening to the wise words he said to me as a father talking to his son,” Aubameyang posted on his official account. from Instagram.

“After this, I make myself available to my country and to coach Patrice Neveu.”

Gabon currently tops its qualifying group for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next January with two rounds to play and can book its place in the final when it hosts the Democratic Republic of Congo next month.

The striker has seen his club’s fortunes tumble of late having made five Premier League starts for Chelsea this season, scoring once against Crystal Palace in October.

He looks set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign as he has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona where he started the 2022-23 season.

The Catalan club confirmed that Aubameyang will get a La Liga winner’s medal for his title this season despite playing just eight minutes before his move to Chelsea.

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