As arguably the greatest African to play in the Premier League, Didier Drogba was a trailblazer when he first arrived in 2004. Having started late as a professional, he made progress with Le Mans and Guingamp, before making a move to Olympique Marseille. A solitary season that seen him play in the UEFA Cup Final earned him a move to Chelsea, where in an 8-year spell he became one of the best players in club history.

A short spell in China and then Turkey took place, before returning to Chelsea and then finishing his career in the USA. With over 100 caps for The Ivory Coast and 65 goals, he was a prolific marksman who held a close to one-in-two record across his club career.

What made Didier Drogba so special?

His physical gifts were matched with technical quality and tactical understanding. Drogba knew how to get his team back into games with his ability to pick on singular defenders and to work a part of the pitch to utter exhaustion. A big-game scorer, too, Drogba had a wonderful record in derbies, in big games, and in European competition. Arguably his most famous goal came in Munich, when he scored a late equaliser in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final.

A clutch player with an eye for goal unlike few others, Drogba was the ultimate one-man-riot-squad. He was able to build play, finish moves, hold the ball up, get teammates involved, and relieve pressure on his defence – the ultimate modern striker.

What does Didier Drogba do now?

Today, Drogba is heavily involved in bringing peace to his nation. He has played a crucial role in combatting violence in the Ivory Coast, and is keenly involved in charitable acts of kindness. He’s also played a huge role in stabilising his home nation, as well as developing and improving the domestic football scene so that, in the future, there can more Drogba’s.