94 Facts About Didier Drogba

Didier Yves Drogba Tebily is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Didier Drogba is the all-time top scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team.

Didier Drogba is best known for his career at Chelsea, for whom he has scored more goals than any other foreign player and is currently the club's fourth highest goal scorer of all time.

Didier Drogba is regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time and was noted for his physical strength, speed, ability in the air, powerful and accurate strikes, and ball retention.

Didier Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year twice, winning the award in 2006 and 2009.

Didier Drogba is the player with the most runner-up appearances, most third-place finishes, and most times in the top three.

Didier Drogba's displays saw him named in the FIFA World XI for 2007.

Didier Drogba played in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, in which he scored an 88th-minute equaliser and the winning penalty in the deciding shoot-out against Bayern Munich.

Didier Drogba joined Canadian club Montreal Impact in 2015 as a Designated Player and played 41 matches over two seasons, scoring 23 goals.

An Ivory Coast international between 2002 and 2014, Didier Drogba captained the national team from 2006 until his retirement from the Ivory Coast team and is the nation's all-time top goalscorer with 65 goals from 105 appearances.

Didier Drogba led the Ivory Coast to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance in the tournament, and scored their first goal.

Didier Drogba later captained the Ivory Coast at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

Didier Drogba was part of the Ivory Coast teams that reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2012, but were beaten on penalties on both occasions.

In 2018, Didier Drogba retired from professional football at the age of 40.

Active in social issues in Africa, Didier Drogba played a vital role in the peace process in his home country.

Didier Drogba was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and at the age of five was sent to France by his parents to live with his uncle, Michel Goba, a professional footballer.

Didier Drogba's mother nicknamed him "Tito", after president Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, whom she admired greatly.

Didier Drogba played football every day in a car park in the city, but his return to the Ivory Coast was short-lived.

In 1991, his parents travelled to France; first to Vannes and then, in 1993, settling in Antony in the Paris suburbs, at which point the 15-year-old Didier Drogba returned to live with them and his siblings.

Didier Drogba then joined the semi-professional club Levallois, gaining a reputation as a prolific scorer in the youth team and impressing the coach with his professional attitude.

Didier Drogba's performances earned him a place in the senior squad but despite scoring in his debut, the 18-year-old Ivorian failed to make an impression on Jacques Loncar, the first team coach.

When Didier Drogba finished school he moved to the city Le Mans to study accountancy at university and changed clubs, becoming an apprentice at Ligue 2 club Le Mans.

Furthermore, Didier Drogba had never attended a football academy and only began daily football training as an adult.

Didier Drogba made his first team debut for Le Mans soon thereafter and signed his first professional contract in 1999.

Didier Drogba grew into his new responsibilities, later stating: "Isaac's birth was a turning point in my life, it straightened me out".

Didier Drogba lost his place to Daniel Cousin due to injury, then upon his return, he failed to score throughout the remainder of the season.

Didier Drogba credited his teammates for his impressive season, highlighting the contributions of winger Florent Malouda, a long time friend of Drogba, as a key factor in his goalscoring prolificity that season.

Didier Drogba scored five goals in that season's UEFA Champions League and six in the UEFA Cup.

Didier Drogba's season was interrupted when he pulled a stomach muscle against Liverpool which kept him out of action for over two months.

Didier Drogba scored a somewhat disappointing 16 goals in a total of 40 games for Chelsea in his first season: ten in the Premier League, five in the Champions League and one in the League Cup final.

Again Didier Drogba finished with 16 goals for the season, 12 in the Premier League, two in the Community Shield, one in the Champions League and one in the FA Cup.

Didier Drogba scored 33 goals in all competitions during the season, including 20 in the Premier League to win the Golden Boot.

In January 2007, Didier Drogba was named the Ivorian Player of the Year, ahead of Kader Keita, Aruna Dindane, and Kolo Toure.

Didier Drogba faced problems off the pitch during the end of the season as his transfer from Marseille to Chelsea in July 2004 came under scrutiny.

In December 2007, Didier Drogba was voted fourth for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.

Didier Drogba continued scoring goals but suffered an injury at the training ground and decided to have an operation on his knee.

Didier Drogba was unable to play for four weeks and missed key games against Valencia, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Didier Drogba returned from injury to play in an FA Cup third round match against Queens Park Rangers and wore the captain's armband for the last 30 minutes he was on the pitch, but that was his last performance for Chelsea before international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

On 26 April 2008, Didier Drogba faced controversy after a clash with Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.

Controversy still dogged the player as before the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Liverpool, Didier Drogba was accused of diving by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Didier Drogba became Chelsea's top scorer in European competition, the two goals he scored put his total at 17, surpassing Peter Osgood's record of 16.

Chelsea assistant boss Henk ten Cate revealed Didier Drogba was due to take the decisive fifth spot-kick in the shootout.

Didier Drogba caused controversy after Chelsea's Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

In Chelsea's third game of the season against West-London rivals Fulham, Didier Drogba scored his third goal of the season.

Didier Drogba assisted both goals, setting up Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.

Didier Drogba then scored a glancing header against Blackburn on 24 October 2009, bringing his tally to eight goals in eleven appearances, scoring his third goal in as many games.

Lampard scored the penalty, but Didier Drogba did not celebrate with his teammates.

On 31 December 2011, Didier Drogba scored his 150th goal for Chelsea against Aston Villa, putting him level with Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley in terms of the club's top scorers of all time.

Didier Drogba is the first African player to reach that landmark.

On 22 May 2012, Chelsea released a note on their official website announcing that Didier Drogba would leave the club when his contract expired at the end of June 2012.

On 19 June 2012, Didier Drogba declared he would be joining Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, linking up with his former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka.

Didier Drogba assisted Cao Yunding's equaliser in the 67th minute.

On 28 January 2013, Didier Drogba agreed to a one-and-a-half-year deal with Super Lig team Galatasaray.

Didier Drogba argued that he had not been paid his wages by the club and asked FIFA, the sport's governing body, to invalidate his contract.

On 25 July 2014, Chelsea announced on their official website that Didier Drogba completed his return to the club on a free transfer, and signed a one-year contract.

Didier Drogba is coming with the mentality to make more history.

Five days later, with Chelsea's attack limited by injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy, Didier Drogba started against Manchester United at Old Trafford, making his 350th appearance for the club.

Didier Drogba scored his 50th goal in European football against Schalke 04.

On 24 May 2015, Didier Drogba announced that Chelsea's final game of the season against Sunderland would be his last as a Chelsea player.

On 27 July 2015, Didier Drogba signed a Designated Player contract with Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact, believed to be 18 months in length.

Didier Drogba finished the 2015 MLS regular season with 11 goals in 11 games.

Didier Drogba was named one of the three finalists for the 2015 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award.

Didier Drogba did not experience the same level of success in his second regular season compared to the first, but still scored 10 goals while appearing in only 22 games, as Montreal reached the Conference Final of the 2016 Playoffs.

On 12 April 2017, after nearly four months as a free agent and declining a move to Corinthians, Didier Drogba signed for USL side Phoenix Rising FC.

Didier Drogba became a minority owner of the club, making him the very first player-owner in football history.

In July 2017 Didier Drogba attracted attention after scoring an impressive last-minute free kick in a game against Orange County to tie the game.

In November 2018, at the age of 40, Didier Drogba scored against Orange County as Phoenix won the USL Western Conference.

Didier Drogba retired later that month at the age of 40, but remained with his final club to work on their bid to join MLS.

Didier Drogba scored six goals in five qualification games to help the Ivory Coast qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

On 4 June 2010, Didier Drogba was injured in a friendly match with Japan.

Didier Drogba received the injury in a high challenge from defender Tulio Tanaka.

On 15 June 2010, Didier Drogba was cleared by FIFA to play in the Ivory Coast's first group game against Portugal wearing a protective cast on his broken arm.

The match ended in a goalless draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium with Didier Drogba coming on in the 65th minute.

Didier Drogba scored the first goal for his team in the tournament against Sudan and his only goal in the group stage.

In June 2014, Didier Drogba was named in the Ivory Coast's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

On 8 August 2014, Didier Drogba announced his retirement from international football with a record of 65 goals in 105 appearances.

Didier Drogba was noted for his physical strength, speed, ability in the air, powerful and accurate strikes, and ball retention.

Didier Drogba is renowned for performing in big games, with a goalscoring record at club level of 10 goals in 10 finals winning 10 trophies.

Didier Drogba provided 71 assists to teammates over the course of his entire career at Chelsea until May 2012, showing that he is a team player.

Didier Drogba was known for his free kick ability where he would strike the ball with power and pace.

Didier Drogba's style is about beating the goalkeeper with speed and depth.

One of the greatest African players ever, Didier Drogba is usually ranked among the three greatest African strikers, alongside George Weah and Samuel Eto'o.

Didier Drogba was married to Lalla Diakite, a Malian woman whom he met in Paris, and the couple have three children together.

Didier Drogba's eldest son, Isaac, was born in France in 1999, grew up in England and has played in the Chelsea academy system.

Didier Drogba signed for French club Guingamp in February 2018.

Didier Drogba has two younger brothers who are footballers: Joel and Freddy Didier Drogba.

Didier Drogba's uncle, Michel Goba, is a professional footballer and Ivorian international, and his cousin Kevin Goba is a professional footballer who played in the lower leagues of France.

Didier Drogba is credited with playing a vital role in bringing peace to his country.

On 24 January 2007, Didier Drogba was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme as a Goodwill Ambassador.

In September 2011, Didier Drogba joined the Truth, Reconciliation and Dialogue Commission as a representative to help return peace to his home nation.

In November 2014, Didier Drogba appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign with a selection of top football players from around the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Gareth Bale and Xavi.

Didier Drogba has appeared in the 2012 and 2015 games.

In 2018, Didier Drogba was appointed Vice President of Peace and Sport, an independent organisation based in Monaco and under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco that works in areas across the world where communities have become estranged from one another.

On 2 December 2019, Didier Drogba co-hosted the 2019 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris alongside journalist Sandy Heribert.