He celebrated goals with backflips and superhero masks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the most entertaining strikers of his generation, and one of the most prolific. At Arsenal, he scored both goals as the club beat Chelsea 2-1 in the 2020 FA Cup final at an empty Wembley during the pandemic.
France and Gabon
Aubameyang was born in 1989 in Laval, France. His father, Pierre Aubameyang, was a Gabonese international and later a scout. Pierre-Emerick chose to play for Gabon, his father’s country, and became its most famous player.
Early career
He came through the youth system of AC Milan but was loaned to several French clubs. At Saint-Étienne, his speed and finishing began to attract attention, and he became one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.
Dortmund
In 2013, Aubameyang joined Borussia Dortmund in Germany. There he became a world-class striker, scoring goals at an extraordinary rate. In the 2016-17 season, he finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer. His pace and movement made him a nightmare for defenders.
African Footballer of the Year
In 2015, Aubameyang was named African Footballer of the Year by CAF, a major honour for a player from a small football nation like Gabon.
Arsenal
Arsenal signed him in January 2018 for a club-record fee at the time. He shared the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018-19 with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. He became captain and led Arsenal to the 2020 FA Cup, scoring twice in the semi-final against Manchester City and twice in the final.
A falling out
His time at Arsenal ended badly. After disciplinary issues, he was stripped of the captaincy in December 2021 and left for Barcelona in early 2022. He later played for Chelsea, Marseille and in Saudi Arabia.
Gabon’s hero
For Gabon, Aubameyang was the talisman, captain and star. Gabon has rarely qualified for major tournaments, and Aubameyang carried much of the team’s hope at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Style off the pitch
Aubameyang is known for his fashion, his collection of cars and his flamboyant boots. His celebrations, including masks inspired by superheroes, made him a favourite with young fans.
Speed
Aubameyang’s greatest weapon was pace. In his prime he was one of the fastest players in European football, able to run behind defences and finish with either foot. Coaches built tactics around his movement, playing quick passes into the space behind defenders. Even as he aged, his timing of runs kept him dangerous in the penalty area.
Many great strikers are remembered for their goals. Aubameyang will also be remembered for the joy he showed scoring them.
