‘I can’t sleep alone, I’m scared’ – Aubameyang reveals kids’ heartbreaking plea following terrifying Barcelona ordeal
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has opened up on the terrifying night that he was burgled at gunpoint.
On August 28, 2022, the striker was at his Barcelona home alongside wife Alysha, kids Curtys and Pierre, and his cousin and her boyfriend.
During the evening, armed men burst into the house.
Speaking to The Athletic, Aubameyang relived the awful ordeal.
He said: “My eldest son came running and said to me, ‘Dad, some guys are in the house’. I said, ‘Just hide’.
“They came in from outside, where my wife was smoking with my cousin and her boyfriend. They took him (the cousin’s boyfriend) and came into the house. My wife was screaming. They had a gun.”
Aubameyang then described telling his family to hide, before trying to confront the intruders.
After attempting to reason with one of them, the striker was punched by a man wearing gloves with metal in them.
When the intruders took his children and sister-in-law, Aubameyang co-operated and gave them what they wanted – including jewellery and watches.
While he and his family came out physically unscathed, the robbery left a psychological effect.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Just days later Aubameyang left Barcelona for Chelsea, amid the Catalan side’s financial woes.
During his Blues debut the following week, the forward wore a face mask due to the injuries he sustained during the robbery.
On the lasting effects of that night, he continued: “If I was alone, no problem, I can handle it, as mentally I’ve been prepared for everything in life, thanks to my parents. But when you have a wife and kids, it’s different.
“After that, the kids told me, ‘Papa, I don’t want to go to school, I’m scared something is going to happen there’. For a year my little one said, ‘I cannot sleep alone’. It was a big struggle. You have it always in the mind.”
Aubameyang struggled to produce his best form at Stamford Bridge, and was largely frozen out under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, amid the club’s bloated squad.
Reflecting on that season, post-burglary, he said: “I was always thinking about this. I did so many nights like this: not sleeping at all, just thinking about that s***. You have some nightmares.
‘THEY ARE SCARED’
“I’m a guy who, if I’m not sleeping well, I’m not going to give what you expect from me, I’m not going to be at my best… Every time the kids are alone, they are scared.”
Aubameyang went on to express his regret at not speaking to anyone about his trauma from that night, calling it a “mistake”.
He also revealed that he still owns his house in Barcelona, but has never gone back.
Following his year at Chelsea, Aubameyang signed for Marseille, where he re-found his mojo.
After netting 30 goals in all competitions, the Gabon star left European football behind to sign for newly-promoted Saudi side Al-Qadsiah, where he plays alongside former Real Madrid defender Nacho.
Aubameyang cites “safety” as a key reason for moving to the Saudi Pro League – and has since inspired his team to third place with six goals in 12 games.