Former Arsenal captain and one-time Chelsea player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has etched his name in the annals of football history by becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in the Europa League, matching the record previously held by ex-Manchester United forward, Radamel Falcao.
Aubameyang achieved this milestone during Olympique Marseille’s recent 2-2 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening. The prolific striker, formerly of Barcelona, netted the opening goal in the match, adding another chapter to his illustrious career.
Despite the draw, Marseille’s hopes in the competition remain uncertain, with the French side set to face Shakhtar Donetsk once more in the second leg of their play-off tie.
Aubameyang’s remarkable achievement sees him tally 30 goals in the Europa League throughout his career. This feat was accomplished across 54 appearances, representing Borussia Dortmund (8 goals), Arsenal (14 goals), Barcelona (2 goals), and now Marseille (6 goals).
While Aubameyang’s feat stands as a testament to his prowess on the field, it’s worth noting that these statistics exclude goals scored prior to the Europa League rebranding from the UEFA Cup.
If pre-rebrand goals were factored in, former Manchester United star Henrik Larsson would retain the top spot, albeit narrowly, with his 31 goals placing him just ahead of Aubameyang, Falcao, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Aubameyang’s resurgence at Marseille marks a turnaround in his fortunes following a tumultuous period. With 15 goals in 31 appearances so far this season for the Ligue 1 outfit, the veteran striker continues to leave an indelible mark on the European football landscape.