Marseille Expresses Concern Over Aubameyang's Hasty Return for Gabon

French club Olympique Marseille has expressed significant concern regarding the premature return of its striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to play for the Gabon national team in an Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifier against Cameroon.

Aubameyang had been undergoing treatment with Marseille's medical staff for a thigh injury. The French club initially announced that he was "unavailable for the December 24 match against Cameroon," following an agreement with the Gabonese Football Federation to adopt a cautious approach.

Despite this, the player entered the match in the 33rd minute after Cameroon had taken a one-goal lead. He participated for a full hour, and the game concluded with Cameroon winning 1-0.

Olympique Marseille believes that the Gabonese Federation took "significant risks," as Aubameyang was not ready for high-intensity running or sufficient athletic rehabilitation.

The French club fears that this early return could jeopardize the player's health for the remainder of the competition and the rest of the football season.