Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang experienced one of the most traumatic episodes of his life while playing for FC Barcelona. In August 2022, a group of armed robbers broke into his house in Castelldefels, while his family was inside, subjecting them to moments of terror. The incident not only left physical scars but also deep psychological wounds within his family.

The Attack and Its Consequences

In an interview with The Athletic, Aubameyang detailed how his eldest son alerted him to the presence of the intruders. “My son came running and told me, ‘Dad, there are some guys in the house.’ They entered from outside, where my wife was smoking with my cousin and her boyfriend. They took the boyfriend and then came inside. My wife was screaming. They had a gun,” he recounted. During the attack, Aubameyang tried to defend himself using a large bottle, but the robbers struck him while threatening his family.

The assault left Aubameyang’s family psychologically scarred. “After that, my kids would say, ‘Dad, I don’t want to go to school, I’m scared something might happen.’ My little one couldn’t sleep alone for a year.” The player admitted that the experience even affected his daily routine, leading to sleepless nights due to fear and recurring memories of the attack.

Decisions and Reflections Afterwards

Despite more than two years passing since the event, Aubameyang and his family have not returned to their old house in Barcelona. “I still have that house, but I haven’t gone back since then. I think I’ll rent it out because my kids don’t want to go back,” he shared. This decision highlights the extent of the impact the robbery had on his family life, especially his children, who still refuse to visit the city.

The footballer, now playing for Al-Qadisiyah in Saudi Arabia, reflected on how he could have handled the situation emotionally. “I made a mistake by not seeking professional help. If I had a therapist or psychologist, maybe I could have dealt with it better. But at that time, I didn’t want to do anything, I was lost.”

In sporting terms, Aubameyang played 24 matches with FC Barcelona and scored 13 goals during his short stint at the club. While his performance left a mark on the pitch, the tragic robbery overshadowed his memories of that period.