Though the 2022 World Cup in Qatar continues to wade through the mire of controversy after FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s abhorrent press conference earlier today, one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world remains, at its core, a source of joy and hope for millions.
When it comes to Côte d’Ivoire and national team legend Didier Drogba, their moment of joy came back in 2006 when the West African nation took part in its first-ever World Cup when European juggernaut Germany turned host for the summer.
Though Drogba, along with other big names the likes of Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboué, and Arouna Koné, did not get out of the group stage after being handed that summer’s group of death that contained Argentina, Netherlands, and Serbia & Montenegro, their tournament qualification set a spark in the nation that continues to this day as countless Ivorian players have reached the top level across Europe’s biggest leagues.
Qualifying for the 2006 World Cup meant 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 to Didier Drogba and the Ivory Coast 🧡
(via @CNNFC)pic.twitter.com/g2M0LrThJe
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 19, 2022
And for Drogba, their qualification meant everything, after the now-retired striker looked back and reflected on what was his best memory across a brilliant career at the club and international level.
Drogba went on to bag 65 goals in 105 caps for his country and enjoys – to this day – a massive gap at the top of his nation’s all-time goalscoring chart.
Other than participating in three World Cups – all of which saw Côte d’Ivoire fail to make it out of the group stage – Drogba enjoyed massive success during his club career, particularly with Premier League giants Chelsea, helping the Blues to four league titles, four FA Cup wins, three League Cups, and a famous Champions League winners medal at the expense of Bayern Munich.
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