Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba is a former professional striker who became the all-time top scorer whilst acting as captain of the Ivory Coast national team. Known for his incredible ability to take free kicks and his iconic knee slide, arm pump and salute celebration, Didier is one of the most instantly recognisable football players in the world who has an abundance of valuable knowledge to pass onto audiences of all varieties.

The nephew of professional footballer Michel Goba, Didier began playing football from a very early age as a hobby and as part of a local youth team. His career kicked off when he joined semi-professional club Levallois and earnt himself a place in the senior squad before signing his first professional contract with Le Mans. Having scored seven goals in only 30 games during his first season, he managed to capture the attention of Ligue 1 club, Guingamp who signed him in 2001 for £80,000.

Throughout his career, he played for a variety of prolific international clubs including Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua and Phonix Rising. He has made nearing 500 appearances on the pitch and has amassed more than 200 goals as a striker. With 105 caps for the Ivory Coast national team and 65 international goals to his name, it’s evident that Didier Drogba is a powerful leader within the sport.

Most recently, Didier has become the very first player-owner in football history as he purchased USL side Phoenix Rising FC. Since making his debut for the club in June 2017, he has managed to score a 40-yard free-kick against LA Galaxy and score a USL Western Conference winning goal against Orange County in 2018 before retiring at the age of 40. To this day, he continues to work alongside the club to help them to join MLS.

A pivotal member to Chelsea’s victory in four FA Cup final and Premier League victories, voted African Footballer of the Year on two separate occasions and nominated FIFA World Player of the Year four times, it’s clear that Drogba has made a statement in the world of football. A driven and determined figure, Didier can pass on some of the most valuable knowledge to a variety of audiences for corporate, sporting and school organisations.