One of the greatest players, if not the greatest, Africa has ever produced has retired from international soccer.
Didier Drogba will no longer lead Les Elephants.
On Friday the Chelsea striker, who has just returned to the West London club for his second stint with the Blues, confirmed he will no longer play for his country.
Drogba,36, has played 104 times over 12 years, captained the side on various occasions and is the all-time leading scorer with 65 goals. The powerful striker represented his country at the past three World Cups but the West African side crashed out at the group stages on each occasion in their first three World Cup appearances in history. Drogba also played in two African Cup of Nations and the Ivorian star said he is “proud to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football.”
The former Guingamp, Marseille and Galatasaray forward will now concentrate solely on helping Chelsea win silverware during the 2014-15 season and he is expected to have a place on Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff lined up for whenever he finishes playing.
Drogba’s legacy will live on in the Ivory Coast as the two-time African Footballer of the Year continues to give back to his home nation through numerous charities and initiatives.
At Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium a banner hangs at one end which simple states “Drogba. Legend.”
That sentiment is shared by the people of Ivory Coast, as their greatest ever soccer player has played his final game in the famous orange jersey.