Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Borussia Dortmund’s Gabonese, 26-year-old wild card, might not be the average footballer; his hair isn’t styled in the typical greasy, parted do, he doesn’t seem to have any designs on the Premier League, and he isn’t quite world-renowned yet, despite a major string of goals to his name. However, he does possess a fashion-savvy Instagram account, a thirst for La Liga in the future, and is joint-top goalscorer in the Bundesliga.
For those reading simply because they are not too knowledgeable about whom Borussia Dortmund’s soaring talent is, then allow me to enlighten you about the Bundesliga’s answer to a DC Comics favourite. To some, he might just be that chap associated with the Batman shirt; to others, he is quite possibly going to be a real nuisance for Bayern Munich and other giants across Europe.
The Rise of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
For Schalke 04 fans, French-born, Gabonese hotshot, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might just be an arrogant attacker with a penchant for comics; for the Dortmund faithful, he is simply a spellbinding striker with a prominent celebration marker under his jersey. However, his glory days are becoming increasingly relevant outside the German stratums, with his name appearing in many an online article as this season sails by.
Prior to Aubameyang’s current spike in due popularity, though, he joined Milan at senior level, following his tenure with the club as a youngster. From 2008 through to 2011, he was then loaned to various sides, possibly in the hope of acquiring more valid experience on the field. However, it wasn’t until after a promising spell with Saint-Étienne that he then signed with the Loire-based side permanently, and enjoyed two solid years with the club.
The 26-year-old then became a member of the Dortmund squad in 2013, and has since been recognised for his incredible speed and dual ability both up front and along the wing. Since penning with the club, Aubameyang has netted 43 goals, with 22 of which deriving from the beginning of play in this 2015/16 spell. What’s more, 14 of his astonishing finishes have flown in during Bundesliga action alone.
Back on 22nd October, Borussia Dortmund faced Gabala in the Champions League draw, during which Aubameyang awarded his fellow team-mates with a hat-trick, yet again showing off his flawless touches in and out of German domesticity. Three days later, another hat-trick was tallied by Aubameyang in Dortmund’s whopping 5-1 victory against Augsburg in the Bundesliga weekly.
Although Robert Lewandowski – the Polish ex-Dortmund star who stunned the league before being poached by ever-champions, Bayern Munich – had made it to 14 goals this season in a big way, Aubameyang now resides joint with him as the top scorers in the Bundesliga so far. So, with a stellar 14 goals from 12 matches to his record, this is certainly unfolding as his most fruitful term yet.
Aside from the statistics, though, Aubameyang has been establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with on a personal level, and certainly a player with great pride in what he does for the team. His celebrations seem all part and parcel of the latter; most will have seen the numerous Tweets and Facebook posts portraying Aubameyang in a bright yellow under-shirt with the Batman motif splashed across the front. Albeit jovial, there was some genuine justification. The shirt reveal occurred whilst beating their rivals, Schalke, at the weekend (which ended 3-2), with the Batman reference as a nod to their win against them of the previous season. He and Marco Reus donned Batman and Robin masks after the last derby, so their recent win was a very joyous occasion in much the same superhero-garbed way.
Aubameyang showed a distinct lack of care and interest in his booking following the removal of his jersey, the Daily Mail commented, so the 26-year-old is certainly making statements about exactly who is in control among the Dortmund forwards. Bleacher Report discusses the team’s further tribute to Aubameyang’s performance by embracing the Batman theme via Twitter, changing its profile image to the alter ego of Bruce Wayne’s very infamous black and yellow logo, much in keeping with the team’s colours.
So, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set to wow the Dortmund faithful for many more matches – and, hopefully, seasons – to come, he doesn’t harbour any desire to flee to England at any point. Perhaps the conundrum only exists for fans of the Premier League, for avid viewers can’t believe a sensational player of such calibre wouldn’t want to muscle in on the high octane events in such dizzying heights. However, when you play for a massive German club, who currently warm second place on the Bundesliga table, you might hanker for something that bit more intense than facing a Manchester side on a good day. According to both Squawka and the International Business Times, Aubameyang would only leave Borussia Dortmund if a decent position within La Liga arose. However, the International Business Times also claims that Liverpool has a vested interest in Aubameyang’s future, and would be likely to target the player in future, whilst The Mirror notes that Arsenal are also said to have their beady eyes on him, and will most probably place a bid come the end of the season.
The future, therefore, is bright for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He is rapidly becoming an intriguing rising star, not just another masterful goal-getter. Although his season with Dortmund is proactive, rewarding, and going downright swimmingly, his future just might not be yellow if he attracts too much more attention.
