Drogba Bid Emotional Farewell As He Announces Retirment At Age 40

Former Chelsea striker and football multi-award winner, Didier Drogba announces retirement on Wednesday.

Drogba, who had been playing in the United States for Phoenix Rising, had two spells at Chelsea, scored 164 goals in 381 matches, having spearheaded the west London club’s revival under Roman Abramovich.

Drogba wrote on Twitter and Instagram, including a photo of him playing as a boy.

“When I think of the last 20 years of my professional career, looking at this picture can’t make me more proud of what I have achieved as a player rather most important how this journey has shaped me as man”.

He Said.

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1989 or where it all started!! When I think of the last 20 years of my professional career, looking at this picture can’t make me more proud of what I’ve achieved as a player but most importantly how this journey as shaped me as a man. If anyone tells you your dreams are too big, just say thank you and work harder and smarter to turn them into reality. #alwaysbelieve I wanna thank all the players, managers, teams and fans that I have met and made this journey one of a kind!!! Also a huuuuge thank you and love to my family ♥️, my Personal Team for supporting me all my career during all the ups and downs no matter what. Looking forward to the next Chapter and hoping God will Bless me as much as he did for my football career 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏 Quand je pense aux 20 dernières années de ma carrière professionnelle, regarder cette photo de ma première licence, ne peut que me rendre plus fier de ce que j’ai accompli en tant que joueur mais plus important encore, comment cette aventure à fait de moi l’homme que je suis aujourd’hui. Si quelqu’un vous dit un jour que vos rêves sont trop grands, acquiescez et travaillez plus dur plus intelligemment pour les rendre réalité!!!! Un grand merci du fond du cœur à toute ma famille, mon « équipe personnelle » de m’avoir soutenu durant toute ma carrière, dans les bons comme dans les mauvais moments. Hâte de démarrer le prochain chapitre en espérant que Dieu me bénisse une fois de plus comme il l’a fait pendant toute ma carrière 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 DD11 #Dunkerque #Abbeville #Tourcoing #Vannes #LevalloisPerret #Lemans #Guingamp #Marseille #Chelsea #Shanghai #istanbul #Montreal #phoenix @usldunkerqueofficiel @levalloisfootball @lemansfc.officiel @eaguingamp @olympiquedemarseille @chelseafc @shanghaishenhua @galatasaray @impactmontreal @phxrisingfc

A post shared by didierdrogba (@didierdrogba) on Nov 21, 2018 at 2:22pm PST

Drogba, began his career at French side Le Mans in 1998, but did not play top-tier football match until he clock 23 years of age when he was signed by Guin-gamp in 2002.

His first spell in west London ended on a leap of Victory as he scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final shootout against Bayern Munich.

He had spells in both Turkey and China before returning back to Chelsea where he won a fourth Premier League title and a third League Cup, leaving the club as the fourth highest scorer of all time.

He moved to Olympique de Marseille in 2003, a year later, he was signed by Chelsea football club, where he became the attacker of the team under Jose Mourinho and helped the club win their first top flight English title in 50 years.

He went on to win three Premier League titles in his first eight years at Chelsea as well as four FA Cups and two League Cups.

Drogba, who made himself available more than 100 appearances for his Country, Ivory Coast and was voted African footballer of the year twice, ended his playing days with Phoenix Rising where he owned and manage players.

“It’s the best way to finish carreer, helping some young talents to develop,” Drogba told the BBC.

“To give something back to the game was the best way to finish as I have learned so much in the game.”