Didier Drogba

At 46 years old, Didier Drogba has this physical status:

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily (born 11 March 1978) is an Ivorian retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

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

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

He was named African Footballer of the Year twice before winning the award in 2006 and 2009. Drogba made his professional debut aged 18 for Le Mans, France's first professional team, and signed his first professional contract at the age of 21.

After finishing the 2002–03 season with 17 goals in 34 appearances for Guingamp's Ligue 1 side, he transferred to Olympique de Marseille, where he was the third highest scorer in the 2003-2004 season with 19 goals and helped the team reach the 2004 UEFA Cup Final. Drogba made the move to Chelsea for a club record £24 million fee in July 2004, making him the most expensive Ivorian player in history.

In his first season in 50 years, he helped the team win their first league title in 50 years, and a year later, he won his second Premier League crown.

Early life

Drogba is a member of the Bété people He was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and his parents took him to France at the age of five to live with his uncle, Michel Goba, a professional footballer. However, Drogba became homesick and returned to Abidjan after three years. After Yugoslavia's president Josip Broz Tito, whom she adored greatly, his mother named him "tito." He played football in a car park in the city every day, but his return to the Ivory Coast was short-lived. Both of his parents' jobs ended and he returned to live with his uncle. His parents moved to France in 1991; first to Vannes and then, in 1993, in Antony, where the 15-year-old Drogba returned to live with them and his siblings. He began playing football more often here, playing for a local youth team. Drogba joined Levallois in the youth team, earning a reputation as a reliable scorer and impressing the coach with his professional demeanor. Despite scoring in his debut, the 18-year-old Ivorian failed to make a strong case against Jacques Loncar, the first team coach.

Source

Club career

When Drogba left school, he moved to Le Mans, a university to study accountancy and moved clubs, becoming an apprentice at Le Mans, Ligue 2. However, his first two years with the academy were marred by injuries, and he was physically strained to cope with the training and match schedule. "It took Didier four years to be able to train every day and play every week," former Le Mans coach Marc Westerloppe said later. In addition, Drogba had never attended a football academy and only started regular football training as an adult.

By the age of 21, Drogba understood that if he was not a professional footballer, he'd better establish himself as a player soon or else he would have no chance of becoming a professional footballer. He made his Le Mans debut shortly after and signed his first professional contract in 1999. Isaac was born in the same year as his Malian wife Alla's first child. He grew into his new duties, later saying, "Isaac's birth was a turning point in my life, it straightened me out." His first season, in which he scored seven goals in thirty games, was promising, but he didn't live up to expectation in the following season. Drogba was forced to miss out on his first appearance due to injury, but on his return, he struggled to score the remainder of the season. However, he returned to form the following season by scoring five goals in 21 appearances.

Guingamp sustained months of anticipation with a transfer bid and Drogba left Le Mans for £80,000. Drogba made 11 appearances and scored three goals for Guingamp in the second half of the 2001–02 season. Although his help the club prevented relegation, the coaching staff remained unconvinced that the new young striker would be welcomed. However, he rewarded his coaches' patience by scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances and assisting Guingamp in finishing seventh, a new league record finish. He lauded his colleagues for his success this season, quoting winger Florent Malouda, a long-time friend of Drogba, as a major factor in his goalscoring success. His strong goal scoring record attracted attention from bigger clubs, but he stayed with Olympique de Marseille for £3.3 million.

Drogba stayed in the team, scoring 19 goals and winning the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) Player of the Year award after a change in coaches. In that season's UEFA Champions League, he scored five goals and six in the UEFA Cup, as well as six in the UEFA Cup. He was sold by Chelsea at the end of the season as the club's then-record signing for £24 million. In the basilica of Marseille, Notre Dame de la Garde, where he appeared in the church before the 2004 UEFA Cup Final, his shirt from his first season at Marseille is also framed.

Drogba scored in his third game for Chelsea after signing for Chelsea in July 2004 for £24 million. His season was interrupted when he pulled a stomach muscle against Liverpool, keeping him out of action for more than two months. Chelsea defeated the Premier League, the first in 50 years and their second in 50 years, as well as the League Cup. In a 3–2 final victory over Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium, Drogba scored in extra time, as well as the Champions League's semi-finals. In his first season as a player in the Premier League, five in the Champions League, and one in the League Cup Final, Drogba scored a rather disappointing 16 goals in a total of 40 games for Chelsea: ten in the Premier League, five in the Champions League, and one in the League Cup Final.

In a Community Shield victory over Arsenal that night, Drogba began the 2005–06 season by scoring two goals. During Chelsea's 2–0 win over Manchester City, his name was tarnished amid allegations of bribery. Replays showed that he had used his hand to control the ball before scoring the second of his two goals. This happened just a week after a similar incident against Fulham, where the goal was disallowed. Chelsea went on to win with two games remaining in the Premier League, becoming the second club to win back-to-back English titles in the Premier League era. Drogba scored 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.

Following Damien Duff's move to Newcastle United, Drogba changed from the number 15 shirt he had worn for Chelsea since 2004 to the number 11 shirt that had been vacated by Duff. During the season, Drogba scored 33 goals in all competitions (more than his tally in the previous two seasons combined), including 20 in the Premier League to win the Golden Boot. He made the first Chelsea player since Kerry Dixon in 1984-85 to reach 30 goals in a season, including 20 in the Premier League, six in the Champions League, three in the FA Cup, and four in the League Cup.

Among the highlights from Chelsea's 2-1 League Cup final victory over Arsenal were game-winners from outside the penalty zone against Liverpool, Everton (from 35 yards out) and Barcelona, a 93rd-minute equalizer against Barcelona. With his back to goal and his chest against Liverpool, he maintained the ball on his chest before firing a 20 yard half-volley on the turn. "There's not a lot you can do in those situations because they were so good," Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who was closely monitoring Drogba. He also scored two hat-tricks, one against Watford and the other against Levski Sofia in the Champions League, Chelsea's first hat-trick in European competition since Gianluca Vialli in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1997. He scored the winning goal against Manchester United in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium in his last competitive game of the season. He became the first player to score in both English domestic finals and win both.

Drogba was named the Ivorian Player of the Year in January 2007, ahead of Kader Keta, Aruna Dindane, and Kolo Touré. For the first time, he was named African Footballer of the Year in March, ahead of Samuel Eto'o and Chelsea teammate Michael Essien. In the PFA Premier League's Year's premier league team of the Year and runner-up to Cristiano Ronaldo in the PFA Player of the Year awards, for his performances during the year.

Drogba's move from Marseille to Chelsea in July 2004 was fraught with problems off the field during the season. Because of the lack of coordination between agents Pinhas Zahavi and Barry Silkman, the Stevens probe in June 2007 expressed reservations.

Drogba's 2007–08 season got off to a rocky start as he voiced reservations about the departure of boss José Mourinho. According to Mourinho, he was still in tears when he told him he was leaving the club, and that "Mourinho's departure destroys a certain degree of familiarity we had at the club." Many of us used to play first and foremost for the manager. We now need to ban those feelings and find another source of motivation." Following these remarks, Drogba told France Football magazine, "I want to leave Chelsea." Chelsea has a lot of people in the team"s "the mess is serious in the dressing room." Despite having signed a four-year deal with Chelsea in 2006, Drogba reportedly scouted several favorite clubs in the interview, naming Barcelona, Real Madrid, A.C. Milan, or Inter Milan as potential future destinations, but later said he regretted this and was 100% committed to Chelsea. Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2–0, against Schalke 04 in the Champions League four days later, with two goals against Manchester City. In December 2007, Drogba was voted fourth (after Kaká, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo) for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Drogba's goals were continued, but he suffered an injury on the track and decided to have an operation on his knee. He was unable to function for four weeks and missed crucial games against Valencia, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Drogba recovered from injury to play in the FA Cup third round match against Queens Park Rangers, but the captain's armband was on the pitch for the last 30 minutes, but it was his last game for Chelsea before international service at the Africa Cup of Nations. Drogba scored a goal in the 2008 League Cup Finals, making him the all-time top scorer in League Cup Finals with four goals, but Chelsea couldn't help Chelsea avoid losing 2–1 to Tottenham Hotspur. In a vital 2–1 victory over Arsenal on March 23, 2008, he scored both goals, effectively ending Chelsea and United's bringing them level on points with leaders Manchester United.

Drogba's reputation soured after a match against Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidii on April 26, 2008. After missing a tooth in the match, the Serbian center-back had stitches under his lip. It was debate whether Drogba had the intention or not to hurt his opponent. The discussion also put an event from 2006, in which Drogba elbowed Vidi, was also in question. Sir Alex Ferguson, the current Manchester United boss, expressed reservations about elbowing in the Premier League. Despite media rumors, the Football Association considered Drogba's yellow card for the match to be deemed appropriate punishment.

Drogba was accused of diving by Liverpool boss Rafael Bentez ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Liverpool. In an interview, Bentez said to have assembled a four-year dossier of Drogba's "diving" antics, but Drogba retaliated against Ben, but Drogba retaliated against him. Drogba scored two goals in the second leg of the semi-final against Liverpool, which Chelsea beat Liverpool 3–2 at Stamford Bridge on April 30, 2008. Chelsea lost their previous two meetings to Liverpool for the first time in the Champions League's semi-finals. Chelsea also qualified for their first Champions League Final, which culminated in their first Champions League appearance. Drogba led Chelsea to the top scorer in European competition, with his two goals he scored totaling 17, beating Peter Osgood's record of 16. In the 117th minute of the 2008 European Cup final against Manchester United for slapping defender Vidi, becoming only the second player to be disqualified in a European Cup final since Jens Lehmann in 2006, and the first for violent conduct. After a 1–1 draw in extra time, Chelsea continued to lose 6–5 on penalties. Drogba was supposed to take the decisive fifth spot-kick in the shootout, according to Chelsea assistant manager Henk ten Cate. While taking the penalty, team captain John Terry took his place but missed out after slipping.

Drogba sustained a string of injuries early in the 2008-09 season and has failed to recover fitness, missing games from August to November due to knee injuries. He scored his first goal of the season in mid-November, but there was no reason to celebrate: he was disciplined and banned from throwing a coin back into the stands, and Chelsea lost a League Cup match against Burnley. In a 2–1 victory over CFR Cluj in the UEFA Champions League, Drogba's second goal of the season, while his first Premier League goal of the season came in a 2–0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in late December 2008. Drogba had lost his first team position and manager Scolari preferred playing Nicolas Anelka as a lone striker rather than pairing the two players because they had missed many games due to injury and suspension. Nonetheless, he recovered his place in the squad and changed his name.

Following the dismissal of Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Drogba's temporary manager took over, he enjoyed a revival of sorts, scoring four goals in five games. Chelsea's revival in form saw him net twice against Bolton Wanderers and four times in four Champions League games, one against each leg of the tournament against Juventus and Liverpool respectively, with these goals guaranteeing Chelsea's passage into the semi-finals. Drogba scored a late goal in Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final match against Arsenal just four days after starting the game in his Champions League matches, before defying Arsenal's empty net. After Chelsea's Champions League semi-final loss at the hands of Barcelona, Drogba sparked controversies. After the final whistle, feeling that many calls had been against Chelsea, substituted Drogba confronted referee Tom Henning blasted the Chelsea prosecutors. He was given a yellow card during the process and was caught on a live television camera shouting "It's a fucking disgrace" on his display. UEFA suspended him on September 17, 2009, with the final two games suspended. Following Chelsea's appeal, the ban was reduced by one match. Chelsea defeated Chelsea in the 2009 FA Cup Final, scoring their first and equalizing goal as they continued to win 2–1. It was his sixth goal in a major cup final in England. Despite having previously stated his desire to change teams, Drogba decided to stick with the Blues under new coach Carlo Ancelotti and agreed to a new deal.

Chelsea won by a shoot-out victory over Manchester United before defeating Hull City twice in a 2–1 victory. In a 3–1 victory over Sunderland, Drogba earned himself an assist when he was fouled in the penalty box to give Chelsea a penalty, which Frank Lampard converted. Drogba scored his third goal of the season in Chelsea's third game of the season against Fulham West. Drogba scored his fourth goal of the season against Stoke City; Chelsea defeated Chelsea 2–1 after Malouda's late strike. On September 20, he scored his fifth at home against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

In a 3-1 loss to Wigan Athletic, he scored his 100th goal for Chelsea. In the 2–0 victory over title opponents Liverpool on October 4th, Drogba was again pivotal. Both ambitions were accomplished by him in the setting up of Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. On October 24, 2009, he scored his third goal in as many games, bringing his total number to eight goals in eleven appearances. Drogba continued his fine form by scoring a header against Bolton Wanderers in a 4–0 victory in the League Cup, but Drogba won by a score against Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, while Drogba scored a goal against Bolton Wanderers in the same week.

Drogba began his fourth game against Spanish side Atlético Madrid after missing the first three Champions League matches for Chelsea due to a suspension for being unsportsmanlike. In the ten minutes before the match ended 2–2, he scored two goals and the match ended 2–2. Drogba scored a goal against Arsenal in London on Sunday, the second of which was free kick from outside the box. It brought his total number for the season to 14 goals in 16 games. In a 3–3 draw against Everton, Drogba continued his good showing with two goals. Between 3 and 4, Drogba was on Africa Cup of Nations service, and he returned to Hull City on 2 February for his 40th-minute equalizer to tie the game 1-1. Drogba scored his 30th goal of the season on March 24 in an away game against Portsmouth.

Chelsea beat Wigan Athletic 8–0 on May 9th, with a hat-trick. In doing so, he not only earned his third League champion's award but also won the Golden Boot for the second time this season, beating Wayne Rooney to the title who remained on 26 goals, defeating him in the second round. Before the match, both players had the same number of goals (26) as they began. However, during the game, Drogba seemed to be wildly disagree with teammate and regular penalty taker Frank Lampard, after Lampard refused to allow Drogba a penalty that could lead Chelsea to go 2–0 up and give him a chance to win the golden boot. Lampard scored the foul, but Drogba did not celebrate with his colleagues. Ashley Cole was tripped in the box when Chelsea were already 5–0 up, and Lampard allowed Drogba to take the penalty, which brought him two goals ahead of Rooney.

Drogba's only goal of the 2010 FA Cup Finals against Portsmouth from a free-kick was scored, extending his streak of scoring in all six English cup finals (FA Cup and League Cup), in which he has competed.

In the Community Shield's Community Shield, Drogba came on as a replacement for Anelka against Manchester United, but Chelsea did not manage to prevent Chelsea from losing by 3-1. However, he started the Premier League season on a high note, starting where he left off on the last day of the previous season when he scored a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in a 6–0 win. Drogba made three assists in Chelsea's next match against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium, bringing the total victory to 6–0.

After Nicolas Anelka was brought down by Thomas Snelka inside the box, he played his fourth Premier League goal of the season. Chelsea lost by Liverpool at Anfield 2–0 on Monday, November 7, 2010. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from malaria for at least a month. He had first complained of getting sick before the 2010 international break in October 2010, but the condition was only confirmed on November 8, 2010. Chelsea reassured that he would recover fully after determining the condition.

In a match against Norwich City on August 27, Drogba sustained a concussion. Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy sustained a concussion. After missing two games, Drogba made his return to the Chelsea squad against Swansea City on September 24th. In a 4–1 victory, Drogba scored his first goal of the season. Drogba turned down a new Chelsea contract on November 29 and was supposed to sign for the highest bidder. Drogba scored his 150th goal for Chelsea over Aston Villa on December 31, putting him in contention with Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley in terms of the club's best scorers of all time. Despite the fact that Chelsea was leading with the penalty shot by Drobga, the game came to a 3–1 loss for Chelsea. Chelsea beat Bolton Wanderers 3–0 on February 25, 2012, Drogba's 99th Premier League goal. Chelsea defeated Stoke City 1–0, Drogba's 100th Premier League goal. He is the first African player to reach that milestone.

Drogba scored his seventh goal at Wembley Stadium on April 15 against Tottenham Hotspur, London rivals, after the Chelsea captains defeated Tottenham Hotspur, who screamed the ball past former Chelsea coworker Carlo Cudicini as Chelsea defeated Liverpool 5–1 winners and secured a spot in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool. Chelsea beat Barcelona 1–0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Semi-final match, three days later. He scored a crucial goal three days later as Chelsea defeated Barcelona 1–0. In Chelsea's 2–1 victory over Liverpool on May 5, Drogba was the first player to score in four separate FA Cup Finals. With eight goals, Drogba also tied for the most goals scored at the new Wembley Stadium.

Drogba scored the equalizer from Juan Mata's corner in the 88th minute of the Champions League final on May 19, 2012, pushing Chelsea into extra time and then penalties. In the 4–3 penalty shootout that aided Chelsea in the victory over Bayern Munich, he also scored the winning penalty. Sir Alex Ferguson said, "As far as I was worried, he [Drogba] won the Champions League for Chelsea." "He has put a stamp on it in all their very important matches," Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola said after the game about Drogba's ability in big matches. In a poll of 20,000 fans conducted by Chelsea FC Magazine in November 2012, Drogba was named Chelsea's best ever player.

Chelsea published a note on their official website on May 22nd, 2012, announcing that Drogba would leave the club before his deal came to an end in June 2012. Drogba revealed on June 19th that he would be joining Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, teaming up with his former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka. It was announced that he had signed a two-and-a-half year contract, earning him £200,000 a week. In a 1–1 away draw against Guangzhou R&F on July 22nd, Drogba made his Shanghai debut against Shenhua, appearing as a replacement for Brazilian defender Moisés in the second half. In the 67th minute, he assisted Cao Yunding's equalizer in the 67th minute. In a 5–1 victory over Hangzhou Greentown on August 4, he scored his first two goals. Shenhua defeated Shandong Luneng 2 goals on August 25th, both set up by Anelka.

Drogba signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Süper Lig team Galatasaray on January 28, 2013. He would receive a €4 million a year basic salary of €4 million per year, €2 million for the remaining 2012–13 Süper Lig, as well as €15,000 per match. However, Shenhua released a press release on Monday that Drogba would unilaterally breach his contract if he were to join Galatasaray.

Drogba argued that he was not received his salary by the club and asked FIFA, the sport's governing body, to invalidate his deal. In February 2013, FIFA issued a provisional license for him to play for Galatasaray, pending the result of the labor dispute.

Drogba scored his first goal for Galatasaray on February 15, just five minutes after coming off the bench against Akhisar Belediyespor in a match that ended 2–1. Drogba scored his first goal for Galatasaray in the Champions League quarter-final match against Real Madrid on September 9, Drogba's first goal for the team. Drogba scored twice in a match against Elazigspor that ended 3–1.

Galatasaray won his first title with a 4–2 win over Sivasspor on May 5th. Drogba and his Ivorian teammate Emmanuel Eboue were subjected of racial chanting in Galatasary's 2–1 loss, but no fine or bans were given to the supporters or the team. He scored his first goal in the 2013 Turkish Super Cup against the same opponents in a 2–1 victory over Beşiktaş on September 22, but the match was called off due to hooliganism from supporters of the opponents.

Chelsea revealed on their official website on July 25th that Drogba returned to the club on a free transfer and signed a one-year deal. Drogba said he returned to the club after receiving a call.

Mourinho also commented on the transfer, saying: "He's coming because he's one of Europe's best strikers." I know his personality well, and I know if he's not covered by history or what he's done for this club before. He's coming with the mentality to make more history." Chelsea announced on July 28th that Drogba would wear the number 15 shirt he wore when he first joined Chelsea in 2004. Egypt Salah, who wore the number from 2013-2014, took over the number 17 shirt that had been vacated by Eden Hazard. It was also revealed on August 15 that Drogba had been given the number 11 shirt he wore at the club before, with the club's new occupant Oscar taking over the number 8 jersey vacated by Frank Lampard.

Chelsea beat Burnley 3–1 in the 84th minute, Drogba's return to Premier League in the 84th minute, replacing Eden Hazard. In Chelsea's first game of the Champions League group stage on September 17th, he got off to a 1–1 home draw against Schalke 04 for his second spell of his second spell. In a 6–0 victory over Maribor in the Champions League, he scored his first goal in his second stint at Stamford Bridge on October 21, converting a penalty kick for his second goal in his second spell in his second stint in the Champions League. Drogba took on Manchester United at Old Trafford, making his 350th appearance for the club, five days after Chelsea's attack was limited by injuries to Diego Costa and Loc Rémy. He headed in his first Premier League goal of his second spell early in the second half, but Robin van Persie equalized in added time. Against Schalke 04, he scored his 50th goal in European football.

Chelsea's last game of the season against Sunderland will be his last game as a Chelsea player on May 24th. He started the game as captain but was forced to miss the rest of the game due to a serious injury after half an hour, which was carried off by his colleagues in a dramatic 3–1 victory. Drogba's final total of 104 goals was the most by an African in Premier League history until it was surpassed by Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah in 2021.

Drogba signed a Designated Player deal with Major League Soccer's Montreal Impact on July 27, 2015, extending his duration to 18 months. He made his debut against the Philadelphia Union in 0–1 home loss on August 23 and returned as a replacement for Dilly Duka in the second half. Drogba scored a hat-trick on his first MLS appearance on September 5th, becoming the first player to do so in the league's history. In addition, it was described as a "perfect hat-trick" with one goal scoring either foot and one in the head. Since scoring 7 goals in his first 5 games in the league, he was September's MLS Player of the Month.

As the team came from behind to beat Toronto FC 2–1 at home in the Canadian Classique on October 25, he scored both of the Impact's goals from back to back to win 2-0; the win gave Montreal the advantage over their knock-out match against Toronto in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. With 11 goals in 11 games, Drogba finished the 2015 MLS regular season. For the first time in the club's history, Drogba scored Montreal's third goal in a 3–0 home win over Toronto in the Playoffs' knock-out round, defeating Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals on October 29. He was selected one of three finalists for the 2015 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award.

Guus Hiddink, Chelsea's new chairman, expressed curiosity in taking on Drogba in a short-term coaching role after Drogba's visit to Stamford Bridge to watch a Chelsea match with Hiddink and owner Roman Abramovich. Montreal also reiterated their desire for Drogba to complete his deal with the team, but the club was left uncertain when Drogba announced his intention to play with Montreal on March 3rd 2016. Drogba joined the Impact in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he began his preseason training in Qatar away from the club. Drogba will not play matches on artificial turf until the season's opener, according to club technical director Adam Braz's note on March 3rd.

Drogba was named in the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game in July 2016, scoring in a 2–1 loss to Arsenal on July 28. Following his exclusion from the starting lineup of a match against Toronto FC by manager Mauro Biello, Drogba refused to play for the team that night, removing his name from the squad. Despite being in attendance at the team's first postseason match against D.C. United, Drogba's fitness was questioned, as both his return to the team and his role in the team were uncertain. Drogba did not have the same success in his second regular season as compared to the first, but he still scored ten goals in only 22 games, although being in only 22 games.

Drogba joined Phoenix Rising FC in the United States on April 12, 2017, after nearly four months as a free agent and losing a transfer to Corinthians. He also became a minority owner of the club, making him the first player-owner in football history.

On June 10, 2017, he made his debut for the team on June 10, 2017, scoring a goal and an assist, leading the team to a 2–1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Drogba drew interest in July 2017 after scoring an outstanding last-minute free kick in a game against Orange County to tie the game. He scored on August 7th with a spectacular 40-yard free kick against the LA Galaxy reserve team, followed by a spectacular knee-slide goal celebration in front of the bench. Drogba scored against Orange County in November 2018 as Phoenix took the USL Western Conference at the age of 40. Phoenix lost 1–0 at Louisville City FC in the USL Championship game on November 8, 2015, despite being a fan of the game 1–0. Drogba retired later this month at the age of 40, but his former club retained his club to continue working on his goal to join MLS.

International career

For the first ever FIFA World Cup qualifier, which took place in Germany in 2006, the talisman of Team Drogba participated in the Ivory Coast qualifying for the first time. Following his triumph over Sudan, who won World Cup qualification, he was instrumental in breaking the Ivorian civil war by making a passionate speech on camera that resulted in a cease fire.

Drogba guided the Ivory Coast to their second Africa Cup of Nations final in February 2006, scoring the only goal and leaving the deciding spot kick in their record-tying 12–11 penalty shootout quarter-final victory over Cameroon. However, the boys lost on penalty kicks after a 0–0 draw, with Drogba's shot being blocked by Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary blocking Drogba's shot.

The Ivory Coast was drawn in a "group of death" with Serbia and Montenegro, the Netherlands, and Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the first game against Argentina on June 10, 2006, Drogba scored his first World Cup goal and of his country's history, but his team lost 2–1. The Ivory Coast was banned from the World Cup after losing 1–2 to Montenegro 3–2 in their final group game, with Drogba watching from the sidelines after pick up a yellow card in the previous two games.

The Ivory Coast was placed in a group with Nigeria, Mali, and Benin's Underdogs. Drogba scored two goals in the group stage, as well as the 3–0 victory over Mali, where the two players scored in the 4-1 victory over Benin. In the quarter-finals, Drogba was on the score sheet once more in the 5–0 win over Guinea, with the last four goals coming in the final 20 minutes. The semi-finals were a repeat of the 2006 final against Egypt, but it was to be the end of the road for Drogba and the Ivory Coast, losing 4–1 to the eventual champions. Drogba lost 4–2 to Ghana on February 9, putting the team out of contention in the playoffs.

Drogba scored six goals in five qualifying games to help the Ivory Coast prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In the 3–1 win over Ghana in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, Drogba scored one goal. The Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals but lost 2–3 to Algeria. He was named as the 2009 African Footballer of the Year in March 2010, his second time winning the award in his career.

Drogba was hospitalized in a friendly match against Japan on June 4, 2010. He sustained the injury after a strong challenge from defender Tlio Tanaka. He fractured the ulna in his right arm and underwent an operation the next day in the hopes of qualifying for the finals. With a protective cast on his injured arm, Drogba was allowed to participate in the Ivory Coast's first group game against Portugal on June 15, 2010. At the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the match came to a goalless draw with Drogba coming on in the 65th minute. Drogba was the first player from Africa to score against Brazil in a World Cup match, scoring with a header in the 78th minute as the Ivory Coast were defeated 1–3. Despite winning 3–0 against North Korea in their final match on June 25, the Ivory Coast fell out of the competition on June 25, 2010.

The Ivory Coast was chosen in a bloc with Sudan, Angola, and Burkina Faso in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Drogba scored his first goal for his team in the tournament against Sudan, as well as his first goal on the group level. In the quarter-finals, Drogba scored twice, but he missed a penalty kick where he might have scored a hat-trick in the game and tournament. In the semi-finals in which the Ivory Coast defeated Mali 11-0. He did not score. Drogba missed a penalty kick in the last 15 minutes of the game, resulting in their loss for the second time by penalty shootout.

Drogba was selected in the Ivory Coast's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in June 2014. In a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he gained his 100th international cap, scoring a penalty kick in his team's 2–1 loss on June 2nd. With the team trailing 1–0 to Japan in the first match on the Ivory Coast, he appeared as a second-half substitute. Les Éléphants won the match 2–1 after five minutes of Drogba's arrival. Drogba announced his retirement from international football on August 8, 2014, with a total score of 65 goals in 105 appearances.

Source