37-Year-Old Aubameyang Scores 4 Goals in 4 La Liga Games, Outshining Mbappe

What is even more surprising is the background of his transfer. After leaving Barcelona, he returned to the Iberian Peninsula and joined Deportivo La Coruna for a transfer fee of only 1.5 million euros. Wouldn't this kind of setup make people think he was just filling a roster spot? But the performance he delivered not only put pressure on younger players in the same position, it also led to comparisons with Mbappe and Alvarez.

First, look at scoring efficiency. Aubameyang scored four goals with only 13 shots, while his expected goals figure was just 2.58, showing that he did not benefit from excessive chances but simply converted opportunities into actual goals. Interestingly, he scored two goals with each foot, showing impressive balance. By contrast, Mbappe also scored four goals but needed 31 shots, averaging 7.8 shots per game, missing eight clear chances, with an expected goals figure as high as 5.99.

This explains a lot. Mbappe's numbers may look impressive, but his output and input are seriously out of proportion. In La Liga's ranking for creating clear-cut chances, Real Madrid occupy the top two spots, yet Mbappe is the player who has wasted the most opportunities. It is like a student holding several elite university admission letters but choosing vocational schools for every application.

The technical characteristics of the two players are actually quite similar. Both started as wingers, can play wide and cut inside, and possess explosive acceleration. However, Aubameyang's style is much simpler—he does not rely on flashy turns or dribbling moves, nor does he like dropping deep to organize play. He simply starts, sprints, and puts the ball into the net. His trademark backflip celebration is the most accurate reflection of him: simple, direct, and efficient.

This style is especially effective in today's La Liga. Many defensive players currently struggle to match the physical battles and recovery speed; if you give them space to accelerate, they can basically only watch from behind. Aubameyang has fully understood this, knows where his strengths lie, and maximizes them.

In contrast, the issue with the Mbappe and Alvarez partnership comes down to one thing—they drop too deep too often. A forward dropping back to receive the ball sounds like a reasonable tactical choice, right? But the condition is that after dropping back, you must be able to handle the ball well, organize play, and drive the entire attacking system. The reality is that their ability to organize and control possession is not on the same level as their speed.

When they drop back, they cannot receive the ball; when they stay forward, they cannot connect with teammates. The result is that the two players restrict each other, and teammates are also unsure what they are trying to do. What does Mbappe averaging 7.8 shots per game mean? It means he attempts five or six shots almost every half, which is clearly not a normal attacking rhythm but a sign of anxiety—he is trying to use individual effort to compensate for problems in the system.

The more striking point is the assist data. Aubameyang has two assists in four games, and his average key passes and clear-cut chance creation numbers are identical to Mbappe's, but Mbappe has zero assists. What does this show? It shows that the two are not far apart in their ability to create chances, but Aubameyang understands better when to pass at the right moment, while Mbappe tends to solve problems himself.

This does not mean Mbappe cannot pass; rather, his match mentality appears to have some issues. A forward already considered among the world's best still feels the need to prove himself and uses a large number of personal touches to confirm his value. This mindset can be especially dangerous at elite clubs because the harder he tries to prove himself, the further he may move away from the correct position.

Why can Aubameyang still thrive at 37? One important reason is that he clearly understands his role. He is not the kind of superstar who needs the entire team built around him. He focuses on two things: starting runs and shooting. The rest is left to his teammates, and he appears wherever they need him. This humility and self-awareness are rare even among young players.

It is true that Deportivo La Coruna are a newly promoted team with limited strength. But if a team with limited ability can still allow a 37-year-old veteran striker to keep scoring, what does that show? It shows the team has provided Aubameyang with the space he needs, has not forced him to do things beyond his abilities, and has not pushed him out early because of his age.

The striker position has never simply been about being younger. Messi was still scoring twice in a match at 36, and Lewandowski was still producing close to a goal per game at 35. These examples remind us that modern football's demands on forwards are no longer only about speed and explosiveness. Judgment, positioning, and finishing efficiency are the soft skills that determine how far a striker can go.

Aubameyang has proven one thing through four games: age is never the limitation; confusion is. While Mbappe is still wondering whether he should drop deeper, Aubameyang already knows where he should stand and what he should do. This is the difference between a professional player and an ordinary star.

The new season has only just begun, and there is still a long road ahead. But it is clear that young forwards who are still worried about their position may want to watch how this 37-year-old veteran plays. Sometimes, letting go of an obsession with statistics and returning to the simplest form of football can lead to the best performances.