Didier Drogba [1][19], Given his relatively late breakthrough into professional football, Drogba has often been described as a late bloomer, having signed his first professional contract with Le Mans at the age of 21. Drogba was again important in the 20 win over title rivals Liverpool on 4 October. N.C. State Player Scores Ridiculous Bicycle Kick, N.C. State Player Scores Ridiculous Bicycle Kick, Daryl Dike scores twice in two minutes to embarrass Zack Steffen and secure big win for West Brom, Messi named FIFA men's player of the year 2022, 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez salvages a point for Real Madrid in Madrid Derby, Los golazos del Huevo al Ame, la mala leche de Nahuel y la apuesta del To Richie Lo que dej la J9 del Clausura 2023. However, significant evidence points to him being Roman Catholic. Fans in London will be begging Drogba to return to the team, because why not? So, what happened to Didier Drogba? [56] He scored both goals in a key 21 victory against Arsenal on 23 March 2008, bringing Chelsea equal on points with leaders Manchester United. [192][193] Initially a right-back in his youth, due to his ability to hold-up the ball with his back to goal, he often played as a centre-forward throughout his professional career, and has been described as "the definition of 'target man'" by Martin Li of Bleacher Report. His net worth is estimated at a whopping $90 million. In March 2012, he became the first African player to score 100 Premier League goals. I'm not in the habit of discussing my private life, the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner wrote. Later on in the game though Ashley Cole was tripped in the box when Chelsea were already 50 up, and this time Lampard allowed Drogba to take the penalty, which he scored to go two goals clear of Rooney. Drogba was born in 1978 in Abidjan, the capital of Cote D'Ivoire. On June 19th, 2012, Didier joined the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. His oldest Isaac is also a footballer. He has appeared in the 2012 and 2015 games. [229], In 2018, 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. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Didier-Drogba. " At about 11 a.m. Yes, Drogba has citizenship in France as he lived in France since he was 5 years old. It also deals with the construction of hospitals in the Ivory Coast and other African countries. [28] He made his first team debut for Le Mans soon thereafter and signed his first professional contract in 1999. [66][67] He scored his first goal of the season in mid-November but there was little reason to celebrate: he incurred disciplinary action and a three-match ban for throwing a coin back into the stands and Chelsea suffered a League Cup defeat against Burnley. [149], During the MLS offseason, recently appointed Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink revealed interest in bringing on Drogba in a short-term coaching capacity after Drogba made a visit to Stamford Bridge to watch a Chelsea match with Hiddink and owner Roman Abramovich. Didier Drogba is a Cte d'Ivoire Homo footballer that plays for CSKA London football club. One of seven players to score an opening weekend Premier League hat-trick. Didier Drogba (44), ex-captain of the Elephants and ex-striker of Marseille and Chelsea announced at the beginning of 2020 his candidacy for an election several times postponed . Wealthy Gorilla Limited | All Rights Reserved. The Ivorian striker Didier Drogba began his professional career in January 2001 with French team Le Mans FC. Where is Didier Drogba now? Others inspire people. Didier Drogba says he is 'launching legal action' against Daily Mail Premier League Drobga will not return to Chelsea this season Premier League Drogba could return to Chelsea with Montreal. The pool offers a view of the expansive garden courtesy of bi-folding doors, while the leisure complex also features a sauna and jacuzzi. He also scored the winning penalty in the 43 penalty shootout that led Chelsea to the victory over Bayern Munich. He had first complained of feeling unwell before the October 2010 international break but the illness was only diagnosed on 8 November 2010. Founded in 2007, the Didier Drogba Foundation aimed to improve access to healthcare and education, help eradicate poverty, empower women, and fight against hunger. He played football every day in a car park in the city but his return to the Ivory Coast was short-lived. The following year he signed for the Ligue 1 team Guingamp for $85,000 and scored 17 goals in 34 games. [115] He scored two more goals on 25 August, both set up by Anelka, as Shenhua drew 33 with Shandong Luneng. [62] This was the first time Chelsea had beaten Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League, having lost their previous two meetings to Liverpool. [54] 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. Most goals scored by a non-English player: Most goals scored in Cup Finals: 9 goals. [116][117], On 28 January 2013, Drogba agreed to a one-and-a-half-year deal with Sper Lig team Galatasaray. Premier League legend Didier Drogba's 6.25million Surrey house is put up for sale, with a place on the Crown Estate, six bedrooms, a two-storey garage and swimming pool Despite his second. Drogba moved to Englands Chelsea FC in 2004 in a trade from Marseille. Didier Yves Drogba Tbily (Abidjan, 11 de maro de 1978), mais conhecido como Didier Drogba, um ex-futebolista marfinense que atuava como centroavante.Drogba atualmente o embaixador da sade e esporte na OMS. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba with wife Lalla Diakate in 2012, Didier Drogba and wife Diakite Lalla at London Fashion Week in 2010, Credit: Landmark Media. Didier Drogba registered as an accountant and started at right-back before Chelsea move Daily and Sunday Express 12:46 16-Feb-23 How Napoli star Osimhen compares to Batistuta, Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo Football Italia 13:17 7-Feb-23 Didier Drogba on 2009 Chelsea-Barcelona referee: "He's lucky I won the Champions League later." But because of speculation in the media today, I can confirm that sadly, after 20 years together, Lalla and I took the difficult decision to separate last year. Furthermore, Didier Drogba was born in a middle-class family on the Ivory Coast and had to work hard for his dream. At the age of 10, the Ivorian player was sent to France to live with his uncle Michel Goba, who was also a professional player. [163] In July 2017 Drogba attracted attention after scoring an impressive last-minute free kick in a game against Orange County to tie the game. Didier Drogbas participation in investments and endorsement deals has also contributed to making his total net worth $90 Million. The18 Recommends For You [106] Drogba also holds the record for most goals scored at the new Wembley Stadium with eight. He has made his fortune from lucrative contracts which began at Chelsea. Didier Drogba I feel at home when I go to London. About Didier Drogba. [32] Drogba was sent off in the 117th minute of the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester United for slapping defender Vidi,[63] becoming only the second player to be sent off in a European Cup final after Jens Lehmann in 2006 and the first for violent conduct. After years of playing in various clubs around Africa and Europe, Drogba landed at Chelsea in 2004, where he remains a valuable and famous player to this day. After the departure of Damien Duff to Newcastle United, Drogba switched from the number 15 shirt he had worn for Chelsea since 2004 to the number 11 shirt vacated by Duff. How old is Didier Drogba now? Story highlights. However, during the game, Drogba appeared to be clearly angry with teammate and regular penalty taker Frank Lampard, after Lampard refused to let Drogba take a penalty which would lead Chelsea to go 20 up and give him a chance of winning the golden boot. He is the author of. She is the face behind the net worth profiles here on Wealthy Gorilla. Didier Drogba is a member of the following lists: 1978 births, Chelsea F.C. Oldest player to score in the Champions League: 36 years, 8 months, 14 days. Drogba and his family do charity work. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The veteran striker Drogba scored 104 goals and 55 assists in his 254 Premier League appearances. He has recently scored three goals in three games in the champions league", "Drogba coin row adds to Chelsea's misery as it crashes out of League Cup", "Drogba faces police action and FA ban after coin toss", "Drogba delivers Chelsea into last 16 and soothes Scolari's suffering", "Chelsea striker Didier Drogba repays Guus Hiddink's faith", "Didier Drogba Angry After Chelsea Lose In The Champions League", "Drogba rages as Chelsea crash out in blaze of fury", "Didier Drogba handed six-game Champions League ban by Uefa", "Video: United lift The Shield Chelsea FC v Manchester United FC 08/08/2010", "Chelsea striker Didier Drogba fit after malaria scare", "Chelsea wait for news on concussed striker Didier Drogba", "Which Wembley records could Tottenham break this season? He left the English Premier League's giants to pursue new challenges because he had achieved a lot with the club. Updates? He met his wife, a Malian native, in Paris in the 1990s. The next season, Drogba left for Shanghai Shenhua, then Galatasaray, then Montreal Impact, and Arizona Phoenix Rising finally. He has two. Yet by the end of the 200607 season, when Chelsea failed in its attempt to take a third straight league championship, Drogba had won over most of the skeptical Chelsea fans by being the leagues top scorer (with 20 goals) and by finishing the season with an overall tally of 33 goals. 'Set behind electric gates, the property sits on just under one acre of land. [13][14] He joined Canadian club Montreal Impact in 2015 as a Designated Player and played 41 matches over two seasons, scoring 23 goals. [21], Drogba is a member of the Bt people[22] He 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. He is known for his powerful and accurate kicks. Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year twice, winning the award in 2006 and 2009. [208], Drogba is married to Lalla Diakit, a Malian woman whom he met in Paris, and the couple have three children together. [138], On 24 May 2015, Drogba announced that Chelsea's final game of the season against Sunderland would be his last as a Chelsea player. Just four days after his Champions League games, Drogba scored a late goal in the FA Cup semi-final match against Arsenal after Frank Lampard's pass found Drogba and he carefully rounded Arsenal goalkeeper ukasz Fabiaski before passing the ball into Arsenal's empty net. [85] On 29 November, Drogba scored a goal against London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the second of which a free kick from outside the box. 13:34 GMT 02 Sep 2022 He grew into his new responsibilities, later stating: "Isaac's birth was a turning point in my life, it straightened me out". Even though, Chelsea was leading with the penalty scored by Drobga, the game ended in a 31 loss for Chelsea. For once, though, Drogba, part owner of the team he was playing for, was unable to inspire his side to success. [102] Drogba scored his 100th Premier League goal for Chelsea on 10 March 2012, in a 10 win over Stoke City. Photo by Ian MacNicol Source: Getty Images. However, he left the Ivory Coast at the age of five and moved & lived with his uncle Michel Goba, a professional footballer in France. The listing on Fine & Country reads:'On the ground floor, five primary reception rooms are centered around a grand reception hall with sweeping staircase leading to all floors. He scored his 100th goal for Chelsea in a 31 defeat against Wigan Athletic. It is surrounded by open fields and woodland and is close to some of Surrey's best schools. I was on the bench in the second division and step by step, year after year, I worked and I know where I want to be and I enjoy my life. DIDIER DROGBA has revealed his ten-year marriage is over after appearing in an intimate video in bed with a mystery woman. He was appointed the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador in . Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Didier Drogba Football can generate excitement and bring people together. [73][74] His revival in form saw him net twice against Bolton Wanderers, and four times in four Champions League matches, one in each leg of the last sixteen and quarter-final of the competition against Juventus and Liverpool respectively, with these goals ensuring Chelsea's passage into the semi-finals. Drogba, who rejoined Chelsea in 2014 after two years in China and Turkey, is regarded so highly in his homeland he successfully called a ceasefire during civil war - and has had a local beer. However, his paycheque became even bigger when he joined the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. [37] This occurred just a week after a similar incident against Fulham where the goal was disallowed. Eventually, the Ivorian striker grew up in Antony, Paris, and started playing soccer. On June 16, Didier Drogba will headline the 2019 Soccer Aid for Unicef, hosted at Stamford Bridge. [68][69] Drogba scored his second goal of the season in a 21 victory against CFR Cluj in the UEFA Champions League,[70] while his first Premier League goal of the season came in a 20 win against West Bromwich Albion in late December 2008. Further, the Ivorian striker Didier Drogba established a charity organization named Didier Drogba Foundation in 2007. He played for the English giants from 2004 to 2012, winning every major trophy for the club. He became famous during his stint with Chelsea Football Club. Most goals scored in European club competitions: 36 goals. Drogba anses vara Elfenbenskustens mest framgngsrika och inflytelserika idrottare ngonsin. The 41-year-old has been out of the game for just a year. [181] On 15 June 2010, 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. Name in home country: Didier Yves Drogba Tbily Date of birth: Mar 11, 1978 Place of birth: Abidjan Age: 44 Height: 1,89 m Citizenship: Cote d'Ivoire. Didier Drogba, whose full name is Didier Yves Drogba Tbily, was born in Abidjan, Cte d'Ivoire. Didier Drogba was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. While his contributions helped the club avoid relegation, the coaching staff remained unconvinced of their new young striker. [20] Drogba was also capable of providing assists to his teammates. He also became a minority owner of the club, making him the very first player-owner in football history. [72], Upon the temporary appointment of Guus Hiddink in early February following the sacking of Scolari, Drogba enjoyed a rejuvenation of sorts, returning to his goal-scoring form with four goals in five games after the new manager took over. Chels Undoubtedly, he thinks that only through health and education will this objective have a positive result. Drogba was involved in philanthropic causes, and in 2007 he established the Didier Drogba Foundation. [91] However, he started the Premier League season in fine form, continuing from where he left off on the last day of the previous campaign as he scored a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in a 60 victory.