Didier Drogba - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Didier Drogba was born on March 11, 1978, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. At the tender age of five, he was sent to live with his uncle, Michel Goba, a professional footballer, in France for a better life and to develop his football skills. He became a fervent supporter of the football club Marseille as a young boy. Despite returning to Ivory Coast intermittently, Drogba's passion for football persisted through it all.
Early career
Drogba began his football career at the age of 15 when he joined the local club 'Levallois' in France. In 1997, after progressing through the ranks at Levallois, he moved to Ligue 2 club Le Mans, where he spent the next four years. During his time in Le Mans, Drogba honed his physical strength, which would later become a significant element of his playing style.
Career at Guingamp
In 2002, approaching the age of 24, Drogba joined Guingamp, a small club in Ligue 1. Despite initial struggles, he was instrumental in saving the club from relegation with his 17 goals. Drogba's performance did not go unnoticed as his goal scoring prowess attracted the attention of bigger clubs.
Career at Marseille
In the 2003-04 season, Drogba joined his favourite club, Marseille. He enjoyed a standout season, scoring 19 goals in Ligue 1 and 11 goals in the UEFA Cup, which helped Marseille reach the final. His remarkable performances led him to win the 'Ligue 1 Player of the Year' award.
Career at Chelsea
Drogba moved to English Premier League side Chelsea in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee of £24 million. He spent eight seasons at Chelsea, where he established himself as one of the most feared strikers in the world. He won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and one Champions League title with the club. On May 19, 2012, Drogba scored the equalising goal and the decisive penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich to give Chelsea their only Champions League title till date.
Short Term Stints
After leaving Chelsea in 2012, Drogba had short stints with Shanghai Shenhua in China and Galatasaray in Turkey. With Galatasaray, he won the Super Lig, Turkish Cup, and Turkish Super Cup. In 2014, Drogba returned to Chelsea for a year and won another Premier League title.
Major League Soccer
In 2015, Drogba joined Major League Soccer (MLS) Club Montreal Impact where he continued to show his scoring prowess. He made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick on his debut. He spent a year with the club, scoring 21 goals in 33 appearances.
Return to Phoenix Rising
Drogba moved to USL Championship side Phoenix Rising in 2017 as a player-owner. He retired from professional football at the end of the 2018 USL season.
International Career
On the international stage, Drogba was a stalwart for the Ivory Coast national team. He scored 65 goals in 105 appearances, making him the country's all-time top goal scorer. He represented his country in three World Cups and was a key figure in bringing peace to Ivory Coast during the country's civil war. Drogba also led his country to two Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Legacy
Off the pitch, Drogba is just as influential. He has dedicated his time and finances towards humanitarian work in his homeland, with the creation of the 'Didier Drogba Foundation'. He has used the influence of football and his superstar status to foster peace and unity, particularly during Ivory Coast's civil war. Drogba was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2010. He remains an ambassador for the sport and his country, continually advocating for peace and education.