Drogba’s quit saddens Ivory Coast

Didier Drogba’s decision to retire from international soccer has caught his country, Ivory Coast, by surprise.

Still, the federation wants to talk to the 36-year-old striker before giving its “official position” on the end of his career.

Drogba sent shocking waves across the international football scene last Friday when he announced his decision to quit playing for the ‘world’s cocoa powerhouse’ after spending 12 years with the team.

Drogba played in all three of Ivory Coast’s World Cup appearances.

The Ivorian federation has delayed a tribute to one of its greatest players. Federation President Sidy Diallo said he wanted to “determine the underlying reasons for this decision.”

Drogba scored 65 goals in 104 appearances for Ivory Coast; however, he was unable to lead his country to a major title.

The Chelsea striker represented the Elephants at this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil, but has now decided to focus on his club career.

In a statement the football star issued last Friday, he said, “It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football.

“These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call-up to my last match, I have always tried to give my best for my country.

“I am very proud to have been captain of this team for eight years and to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football, taking part in three World Cups and two African Cup of Nations finals.

“I cannot convey enough thanks to the fans for all the love and support during these years. All my goals, all my caps, all our victories are for you – I love you.”

Career life

Drogba made his Cote d’Ivoire debut in September 2002 against South Africa and broke his international duck the following February in a 3-0 win over Cameroon.

The striker captained his country in their first ever appearance at the World Cup in 2006, netting in the Elephants’ opening game, a 2-1 loss to Argentina.

Drogba struck again at South Africa 2010 against Brazil, but he failed to find the net in his three appearances at this summer’s tournament as Cote d’Ivoire failed to make it out of the group stage for the third time in a row.

Having since completed a free transfer to Chelsea following the expiration of his contract with Galatasaray, Drogba has now called time on his long and illustrious international career.

14 career and money facts about Didier Drogba

• Born March 11, 1978 in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, he was sent out to France at the age of 5 to live with his uncle, Michael Goba. Due to homesickness, he returned home three years later, but was immediately sent back to France due to the rapid poverty in his country.

• He began his football career with a semi-professional side named Levallois in France; in 1997, he was transferred to Le Mans Football Club where he turned a professional in his second year. After a spell at Guingamp he scored 17 goals in 34 matches, forming a formidable partnership with Florent Malouda, famous French professional footballer. The next season, he signed for Marseille and in just one season scored 19 goals and became a club legend before his £24m (N6.5bn) transfer to Chelsea Football Club, London in 2004. From there on, it has been a case of looking only forward for the Ivorian who has captivated the attention of one and all during his stay in England.

• A sense of nationalism and love for African culture had been rooted in the mind of the star striker ever since he moved to France. In Europe where he lives, he eats African food, listens to African music and dances to the Ivorian coupe-decale.

• He is quite secular, going to both the Church and the Mosque.

• When he was just about to turn professional, he had difficulty in adjusting to the lifestyle that the sport demands. He was a fanatic junk food eater, shopped designer clothes and fond of night-clubbing. His night-clubbing habit earned him the nickname “Tupac,” after the American gangster-rapper.

• He read a lot, comparing his homesickness to that suffered by the protagonist of Camara Laye’s 1954 novel: The Dark Child, the reconciliation of an American student suffering a French exile.

• After earning success with Chelsea, he set up the Didier Drogba foundation in 2007 to help raise funds for the Red Cross in Abidjan, help orphanages, build schools and hospitals, and other such initiatives to improve the standard of life in his country.

• Drogba was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme as Goodwill ambassador in 2007.

• In 2013, he reportedly bought a 5 per cent stake in his country’s gold mine company for £1bn (N271bn).

• His garage collection includes a McLaren Mercedes SLR, a Porsche Cayenne, a Range Rover SUV, a Mini Cooper and a Ferrari California.

• What is the secret to his fitness? He said that it’s advisable to load up on carbohydrates, two days before a match. Recommended for him is pasta or rice with meat and fish. He also claims that having fast food before a match can add to the risk of a long-term injury.

• He married the mother of his three children, Lalla Diakite, in a small but lavish ceremony at the Marie De Monaco in Monaco, France on June 13, 2011. The wedding was officiated by Chelsea club owner, Roman Abramovich. Attendees were fellow football stars like Solomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Michael Essien, etc.; singing sensation, Akon; and a number of NBA stars.

• He owns a home in London which he reportedly bought for £14.5m (N4bn).

• Famous football awards won by him include the Onze d’Or in 2004, Ligue 1 Goal of the Year (twice), African Footballer of the Year (twice), BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2009, Gold Foot Award, and the UEFA Champions League Title with Chelsea in 2012.