Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Says ‘Violent Cowards’ Injured His Jaw in Robbery

Armed robbers allegedly hit the Barcelona forward in the face and forced him to open a safe where he kept jewelry on Monday.

MADRID (AP) — Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang injured his jaw when armed robbers broke into his house this week, the player said Wednesday.

He posted a message on Instagram thanking everyone for their support after the attack by a group of masked men early Monday.

Aubameyang said he expected to recover soon and that no one else was physically harmed during the robbery.

“Some violent cowards broke into our home and threatened my family and my children, just to steal some stuff,” he said. “They injured my jaw but I will recover in no time.”

Aubameyang was hit in the face and forced to open a safe where they kept jewelry, authorities said. The attackers reportedly threatened him and his wife with guns and iron bars.

“The feeling that we are no longer safe in our own home is hard to understand and describe, but as a family, we will overcome this and stand stronger than ever. Thanks for all the support, it really means a lot to us.”

The 33-year-old Aubameyang, a Gabon international, signed with Barcelona in the middle of last season after long stints with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Arsenal in the Premier League.

There were no more details on his jaw injury, and Barcelona did not immediately say how long the player would be sidelined.

Aubameyang had not played in Barcelona’s 4–0 win over Valladolid in the Spanish league on Sunday evening. He had been among the players expected to be sold to another team so the club can clear salary cap space.

Two weeks ago, new Barcelona signing Robert Lewandowski had a watch snatched from his arm as he arrived for practice at the club’s training center.

It is not uncommon for soccer players’ houses to be robbed in Spain, though the crimes usually happen when the athletes and their families are away during matches. Among the reported victims in the past were Casemiro, Álvaro Morata, Gerard Piqué, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba and former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.

Spanish police a few years ago dismantled a gang that had been robbing players’ houses during games.