Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has been chosen to receive the 2020 Uefa President’s Award after being hailed as a “pioneer” by Aleksander Ceferin.
The 42-year-old enjoyed a trophy-ladened career, playing a pivotal role as Chelsea lifted the Champions League as well as winning four Premier League and FA Cup titles during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba fell short in a bid for the Ivory Coast presidency, but the former striker now aims to move into football administration having set up a thriving charitable foundation.
“Didier is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career,” said Uefa president Ceferin.
“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.
“Didier is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career,” said Uefa president Ceferin.
“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 – who scored 164 goals in 381 Chelsea games – will receive his award during Thursday night’s Champions League draw in Geneva.
“To have won a Champions League, to have played and scored for my country at a World Cup – these are things I could only have dreamed of when I was a child,” said Drogba.
“There are so many children in the developing world who have the potential to become not only footballers, but also doctors, teachers and engineers.
“This is why it is so important to help and support our youngsters to let them fulfil their dreams and aspirations.”
Balancing his charity work with studying for Uefa’s executive master for international players (MIP) programme, Drogba continued: “I had been thinking, ‘how can I keep having the same impact without playing, without using my physique, my legs and my heart?’
“The best way was to use my brain and think about how to stay in football and go into administration.
“That is why I am here – to get all the tools and skills needed to improve not only as a person but as an ambitious man who wants to contribute to the development of football.”
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