Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is poised to return to the Olympique de Marseille squad for Saturday’s Ligue 1 showdown against Stade Rennais, a match that could well mark the end of his second stint at the Vélodrome. After serving a one-match internal ban, the Gabonese striker is back and determined to leave a lasting impression, whether as a farewell or just another chapter in his rollercoaster OM career.
The sanction stemmed from a lighthearted but misguided moment during the build-up to the Le Havre fixture. Aubameyang, ever the exuberant personality, led a group of teammates in a bout of horseplay that involved spraying a fire extinguisher on Bob Tahri, a representative of the club’s sporting direction. The incident, captured on CCTV, prompted an immediate response, and the forward was excluded from the trip to Normandy. True to his character, the 36-year-old quickly owned up, apologized to the interim and incoming presidents, and accepted the punishment without fuss.
That momentary lapse aside, Aubameyang’s influence in the dressing room remains undeniable. His rallying cry "On va battre Le Havre!" echoed through the Commanderie, igniting belief in a squad that had been under pressure. OM duly secured a 1-0 victory, even without their talisman, but the episode underscored the thin line between passion and indiscipline that has occasionally defined his career, recalling similar brushes during his time with the Gabon national team.
On the pitch, this season has been a grind for both player and club. Aubameyang, who turns 37 next month, has battled through the physical demands of Ligue 1, often shouldering the attacking burden in a campaign marked by inconsistency. His seven league goals may not match his prolific peak, but his work rate and experience have been vital in a transitioning team. The fire-extinguisher ban aside, he has been a model of positivity and professionalism, a leader by example in a squad that has seen its fair share of upheaval.
The contractual clouds gathering over his future are no secret. When Aubameyang rejoined OM in July 2024, spurning lucrative offers from the Gulf, he signed a two-year deal that runs until 2026. The agreement was a candid acknowledgment from both sides that this would be a short-term partnership. His monthly salary, believed to be around €350,000 gross, is substantial but represents a significant reduction from the eye-watering wages of his first Olympic spell (2014-2018). Club sources have indicated that talks with the new sporting leadership will commence in early June, with all options on the table: an extension, a mutual departure, or one final season.
For OM, Aubameyang’s potential exit is freighted with symbolism. He represents the last direct link to the club’s recent identity shifts—from the Bielsa era to the Champions League money and the post-pandemic rebuild. His return last summer was billed as a homecoming, a sentimental and tactical move that brought proven firepower to a side in flux. Letting him go would signal yet another reset, forcing the board to find a reliable striker in a market where goals are a premium commodity.
The Rennes clash offers a microcosm of his OM tenure: a moment to deliver on the big stage, against a rival with European ambitions, in front of a home crowd that has serenaded him through highs and lows. Aubameyang is expected to start or feature prominently, and his mindset, those close to the club say, is one of serene acceptance coupled with fierce competitiveness. He wants to write his own ending, not have it dictated by off-field antics or contract pressures.
Regardless of what June brings, the Gabonese icon will leave a complicated legacy. He arrived as a raw talent in 2014, left for Borussia Dortmund and the Premier League, then returned as a seasoned veteran to help steady the ship. The fire-extinguisher tomfoolery will be a footnote, overshadowed by the memories of his predatory instincts, his charisma, and his ability to galvanize a squad. Saturday might be his final bow, but he’s determined to make it one that resonates.
The situation also highlights the broader challenges at OM: a club navigating institutional change, with an interim president, a new sporting director on the horizon, and a squad in need of clarity. Aubameyang’s fate is intertwined with these structural shifts. His departure would free up significant wage bill space, potentially enabling a younger, more sustainable rebuild. Yet, replacing his experience, his knack for crucial goals, and his dressing-room presence will be no easy task.
As the whistle blows at the Vélodrome, the focus will be on Aubameyang’s every touch, every sprint, every attempt on goal. The script is undeniably cinematic, but football rarely follows neat narratives. Whether this is a farewell or merely a prelude to another chapter, the striker remains true to his nature: a livewire, a leader, and a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. For OM fans, it’s a moment to cherish, even if the final act is unwritten.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
