Marseille in Uproar as Aubameyang Returns: AFCON Drama Strikes the French Club

Olympique Marseille’s fears grew as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to competition as Gabon entered AFCON 2025. The 36-year-old forward stepped on the pitch in the 33rd minute of a group match against Cameroon, finishing the game after about an hour. This outcome was not anticipated by the club’s medical staff.

Return Protocol Controversy

The initial plan had been for him to stay on the bench or to play only a few minutes at the end to regain a feel for the game without stressing his recently rehabilitated groin.

However, the Gabon coaching staff rushed him onto the field, forcing an earlier participation. For Marseille, this decision carries clear risks: the player had not completed the necessary rehabilitation to endure high‑intensity running, raising fears of a relapse that could jeopardize AFCON participation and the rest of the season.

Midway through the game, the Gabonese staff’s urgency clashed with Marseille’s caution, and the club now fears a relapse could rule Aubameyang out of future AFCON matches and affect the team’s schedule.

Risks and Implications

The match timing and the limited match fitness left Marseille anxious that the rest of the AFCON campaign or their own campaign could suffer.

If Aubameyang had to chase a groin issue, there would be no longer just a title to chase—there’d be a succession of setbacks, which Marseille wants to avoid at all costs.

Punchline 1: If rehab were a transfer window, Aubameyang would be the only player signing a loan with the label “Return guaranteed in 24 hours.”

Punchline 2: Marseille’s medical plan is still in beta—next patch notes say: more rests, fewer headlines, and a lot more coffee.