OM striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won the Marc-Vivien Foé 2024 prize on Monday. On this occasion, he answered questions from France 24 and RFI, speaking about his career, his relationship with his father and that with the legend Didier Drogba. Interview.
Published on: 05/13/2024 – 07:33
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Eleven years after a first trophy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again received the Marc-Vivien Foé prize, which rewards the best African player in Ligue 1. The opportunity for the Gabonese to take stock of this long career during a interview with France 24 and RFI.
The interview was carried out a few days before the lost Europa League semi-final against Atalanta Bergamo.
France 24 – RFI: What is the overwhelming feeling when receiving this award? ?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang : I am very happy to win this award. It’s the second time. After so many years, coming back to France and winning this prize again is a huge source of pride. It’s just as rewarding as the first time. I am very proud of the journey I have made since then. This award means a lot to me.
You finish ahead of Achraf Hakimi and Nabil Bentaleb, but also Wilfried Singo and your teammate Chancel Mbemba. Who would you have voted for? ?
Obviously for Mbemba. Last year he was extraordinary and he won the prize. This year, he had another huge season. He scores goals which do us extremely good. So I would have voted for him.
What are your memories of your first trophy? ?
I remember that I received this trophy in Paris and it was really moving since it was Marc-Vivien Foé’s daughter who gave me this prize.
I was happy and I was also happy with my season. It was a culmination of the season because we had worked a lot at Sainté to obtain trophies, not only collective but also personal. So it was the reward for a great season.
Read alsoEleven years later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins the Marc-Vivien Foé prize again
You arrived at OM at 34 years while many players your age went to Saudi Arabia to look for petrodollars. What motivated you ?
Above all, I am passionate about football. I didn’t want to go to tropical destinations for big checks. Even if I don’t completely neglect this aspect, I was keen to leave a good image of myself when leaving Europe and not end up with a failed season at Chelsea. OM was my challenge.
With your 27 goals this season, you are getting closer to Didier Drogba’s record with OM. How does it feel to be compared to him? ?
I think there is no comparison possible: Drogba remains Drogba. It’s a legend. Afterwards, I am very happy and very proud that people think about it. But we are two completely different players. He is the legend, and I want to continue writing my story.
Read alsoCAN 2024: Didier Drogba, an intact aura in Ivory Coast and in his native district
I had the opportunity to tell him that he was my idol when I was younger. I don’t know if he realizes it but he is someone who has inspired a lot of people around the world, particularly me, in my career and my African journey. He inspired a generation with his talent and his work.
OM has a strong connection with Africa : Kondogbia (Central Africa), Mbemba (RD Congo), Sarr (Senegal)… Is it an identity that you feel more than in other clubs where you have been? ?
We feel it. OM even released a special Africa clothing collection and I think it’s magnificent. We meet in the locker room, we can share our experiences, what we experience when we go to the selection…
It’s the French club where I felt this the most without knowing how to explain it. I think OM and the city of Marseille are like that. They know how to receive, wherever you come from.
Your father was a Gabonese international. What role did he play in your career ?
He played a crucial role. He made it easier for me since he had a football career. As a dad, no one wants to see their son fail in the same place as you. It was a privilege to have him by my side. Without him, I would not have had the career I did.
He gave me so much good advice. But ultimately, I think the most important thing was the education he gave me. She made me. He wasn’t giving me a gift. He was always tough because he knew that if I wanted to be a footballer, I had to have this toughness to be able to have a career.
Whether it was my father or my mother, I think everything they instilled in me made me the player that I am.
What assessment do you make of your fifteen years in the national team, especially if we take up the comparison with Drogba ?
There is a taste of unfinished business. But we can’t compare the two situations: Didier Drogba had some great players with him. We are a small nation, which is trying to grow little by little. There were complications but I remain proud of my journey with Gabon.
In the back of my mind, I would still like to win a major trophy with my national team. It would be the culmination of a career.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the 2026 World Cup ?
It would be beautiful. Qualifying for the World Cup would be a great achievement for Gabon.
