A former national captain of Cote D’Ivoire’s senior football team, Didier Drogba has become the first-ever African recipient of the UEFA President’s Award.
The award celebrates “outstanding achievements, professional excellence, and exemplary personal qualities” among footballers who win it.
The UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, described Drogba as a “pioneer”.
“Didier is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career,” Ceferin said via a UEFA statement.
“He is a leader – a pioneer. I will remember him as a player for his skill, strength, and intelligence, but above all, for his insatiable appetite to succeed – a trait which is just as present in his desire to help others off the field of play.”
“The UEFA Champions League has become the greatest club competition in the world, partly due to our clubs being able to attract the best players from around the world. We have been lucky to have seen the likes of George Weah, Samuel Eto’o, and Didier Drogba play at the very highest level. They, in turn, have blazed a trail for African footballers and have given inspiration to a whole new generation to look to follow in their footsteps.”
Drogba won the 2012 Champions League when he played for Chelsea. He is currently the highest-scoring African player in UEFA Champions League history with 44 goals during his time with Chelsea, Olympique Marseille, and Galatasaray.
