Didier Drogba

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily was born on March 11, 1978, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. He would go on to become one of Africa's greatest footballers, celebrated for his career at Chelsea Football Club and his impact on Ivorian football. His early years saw him move to France where he began his footballing journey.

Didier Drogba made his professional debut for French club Le Mans in 1998. Starting his career as a striker in France's Ligue 2, Drogba honed his skills and began to attract attention with his powerful playing style and goal-scoring ability.

In 2002, Didier Drogba signed with Ligue 1 club Guingamp where he showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting 17 goals in 34 appearances during the 2002-2003 season. His performance at Guingamp would set the stage for his move to Marseille and eventual rise to stardom.

Didier Drogba signed with French club Olympique de Marseille in 2003, where he enjoyed a standout season. He scored 19 goals in 35 appearances and led Marseille to the UEFA Cup final. His time at Marseille solidified his reputation as one of the top strikers in Europe.

In 2004, Didier Drogba transferred to Chelsea FC for a club-record fee of £24 million. His arrival marked the beginning of a successful era at Chelsea, where he became a pivotal player, helping the team secure multiple Premier League titles and other domestic trophies.

Didier Drogba was the hero of the 2007 FA Cup final, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Chelsea over Manchester United. His performance in the final was characteristic of his ability to deliver in crucial matches, further enhancing his reputation as a big-game player.

On May 19, 2012, Didier Drogba played a pivotal role in helping Chelsea win their first UEFA Champions League title. He scored the equalizing goal and the decisive penalty in the shootout against Bayern Munich, cementing his legacy as a Chelsea legend.

In June 2012, Didier Drogba left Chelsea to join Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. His move to China was notable as it marked a shift in his career to a different league after achieving significant success in European football.

Didier Drogba signed an 18-month contract with Turkish side Galatasaray in January 2013. His time at Galatasaray saw him continue his winning ways, including contributing to the team's domestic success with a Turkish Super Lig title during his stint.

While playing for Galatasaray, Didier Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge for a UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea on March 18, 2014. Although his team lost, Drogba received a hero's welcome by his former club's fans, a testament to his enduring legacy at the club.

In July 2014, Didier Drogba made a sensational return to Chelsea on a one-year contract. He contributed to Chelsea's 2014-2015 Premier League title win, adding to his impressive trophy haul at the club and further endearing himself to the Chelsea fans.

On November 8, 2018, Didier Drogba announced his retirement from professional football, ending a career that spanned over two decades. Drogba's time on the field was marked by numerous accolades, both individually and as part of club teams and the Ivorian national squad.