Gabonese center-back Bruno Ecuele Manga, affectionately nicknamed "Paul Biya" for his longevity with the national team, announced his international retirement on March 18, 2026. This decision marks the end of a nearly 20-year career serving the Gabon Panthers.
Ecuele Manga, 37, shared an emotional message on his Facebook page to express his gratitude to the Gabonese people. "After nearly twenty years of wearing the Gabon Panthers jersey, the time has come for me to turn the most precious page of my life," he wrote. He emphasized that wearing the national colors has always been a part of him and a huge responsibility.
The Paris 13 Atletico player made his debut for the national team on October 8, 2006, under Alain Giresse. He has accumulated 118 caps and scored 9 goals. Despite a recent difficult 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where Gabon was eliminated in the group stage, Ecuele Manga made history by becoming Gabon's most capped player on September 9, 2025, in a match against Ivory Coast. He surpassed the previous record held by Didier Ovono.
Nicknamed "Paul Biya" because of his longevity on the national team, in reference to the Cameroonian president of the same name, Ecuele Manga has chosen to retire to make way for the younger generation. He will forever remain a son of the Panthers and will continue to serve the future of Gabonese football in one way or another. His legacy is that of a loyal, combative player deeply attached to his country.
