BOITUMELO RANTAO
RETIRED legendary African football star Didier Drogba has won a prestigious honour from European Football Association (UEFA).
Drogba, the Ivory Coast superstar who represented his country for many years and played for Chelsea in the British Premier League, is the 2020 winner of the UEFA President Award, for his contribution to football.
UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin – said Drogba “is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career. He is a leader – a pioneer.”
Drogba, who won the Champions League trophy with Chelsea, will receive the award at the draw for the 2020 tournament in Geneva on Thursday.
This is how Drogba reacted on Twitter; “A year and a half before playing my first @championsleague from @uefa_official I was a substitute @lemansfc. officiel in second division. Used to watch those Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday games with my friends and dreaming that one day I’ll hear this anthem. Hard work made me feel I could compete, belief and faith comforted me that I’ll do it.
“Thank you @olympiquedemarseille @chelseafc @galatasaray for those fun nights. What an honour to be named among all these legends @johancruyff @franzbeckenbauerofficial @bobby_charlton @paolomaldini @davidbeckham or more Alfredo Di Stefano. Have faith, Dream Big, Work harder.”
Drogba is the second African-born winner of the UEFA President’s Award after the great Eusébio, who received the accolade in 2009. As well as running his own foundation which is involved in uplifting the lives of the poorest of the poor, Drogba is studying for a #UEFAacademy Executive Master for International Players, alongside other former stars.
