Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s complicated debut in Saudi Arabia

“I have had a year full of emotions and I want to thank the entire club, the staff, my teammates and our supporters. You have made me stronger and these memories with you will remain engraved forever. As you know, I have always followed my father’s advice, which has allowed me to become the player I am and so we have made this decision for the rest of my career. It is time for me to start a new chapter.” It is through his account Instagram that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang announced his departure from Olympique de Marseille on July 17. A trend that had gained momentum over the days before being confirmed a year after his arrival. Free of any contract, the Gabonese striker had opted for the Marseille project in the summer of 2023. Despite a late start that had raised some questions about his ability to take on the role of leader, the former Chelsea player was able to silence the skeptics.

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Despite Olympique de Marseille’s more than average season, which ended in a disappointing 8th place in Ligue 1, thus depriving the Marseille club of participation in a European Cup for the 2024-2025 season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the rare satisfactions on the Canebière by carrying his team on his shoulders, particularly on the continental scene. If OM had a more than honourable run in the Europa League, eliminated at the gates of the final by Atalanta Bergamo, the Gabonese was the great architect of this by finding the back of the net 11 times (for 10 assists in 13 matches), becoming in the process the top scorer in the history of the competition (34 goals). With a whopping 30 goals and 11 assists in 51 games in all competitions over the entire 2023-2024 season, the Laval native was expected to play a leading role again.

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PEA breaks down in Saudi Arabia…

Despite the unwavering desire of Marseille’s management to keep him as a key player in Roberto De Zerbi’s squad and a contract running until June 2026, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has chosen to expose himself to the sun a little more. In search of a goalscorer, the legendary Al-Qadsiah team made a significant investment to convince the Phocéen to leave the Canebière (by offering him an annual net salary of €10 million) to join the Gulf and thus discover a 6th championship in his career. If the team from the city of Khobar, recently promoted to the first division, got off to a flying start by winning its first two league matches against Al Fateh (3-0) then Al-Raed (1-0), Michel Gonzalez’s men have been marking time for two days (defeat against Al Shabab by a score of 0 to 1 then a goalless draw against Al Akhdoud). And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performances are already raising questions.

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Starting at the forefront of the Al Qadsiah attack since his arrival, the 35-year-old striker is struggling to find his feet with his new team. As evidenced by the fact that the Gabonese international has still not found the net since the start of the championship and is still looking for his first goal. Out of his 8 clear attempts, the former Barça striker has wasted two big chances. A very insufficient performance that contrasts with the face he showed during the summer preparation where he scored during his first appearance against Olympiakos in a friendly (2-2, on July 26) and his recent performances with the Gabonese selection. During the international break in September, the Panthers’ attacking leader saved face against Morocco (4-1) before playing a major role in his team’s victory against the Central African Republic (2-0). At Al Qadsiah, Aubameyang is nevertheless well surrounded.

For its return to the Saudi elite, the Khobar-based club has pulled out all the stops to build a squad capable of competing with Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ahli. While the Saudi team has called on veterans such as Real Madrid legend Nacho Fernandez, it has also focused on youth by attracting players such as Iker Almena and Ezequiel Fernandez. To support Aubameyang up front, Al Qadsiah has brought in one of the best passers in Europe last year in Cameron Puertas, who made his name with Union Saint-Gilloise (19 assists in all competitions). But for the moment, things are taking a while to get going and the Gabonese player has not been able to confirm his great campaign with OM. So is it simply a delay in getting going, difficulty adapting to his new work environment or is the weight of the years starting to be felt? One thing is certain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be expected to deliver in the coming days as his team prepares to get down to business.