Didier Drogba celebrates one of his two goals against D.C. United on September 26, 2015. Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
In the twilight of a great football career, 37-year-old Didier Drogba is now delighting fans and making a big impact in his inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
The former Ivory Coast captain signed with the Montreal Impact on July 27, 2015. He didn’t make his first start for Montreal until September 5, 2015, and talk about sudden impact.
Drogba became the first player in MLS history to score a hat-trick in their first league start.
The still powerful striker immediately showed his versatility as he recorded “a perfect hat-trick,” scoring one goal with his left foot, one with his right foot and one with his head in Montreal’s 4-3 victory over the visiting Chicago Fire.
In his first six matches for Montreal, Didier Drogba has scored seven goals and proven to be “an absolute revelation,” words used by MLSsoccer.com after the African star was named MLS Player of the Week on September 29, 2015.
Drogba, though, has revealed his stellar skills all over the world since signing his first professional contract with the French club Le Mans in 1999.
Didier Drogba in action against British star Steven Gerrard of the Los Angeles Galaxy, another international player in his first MLS season. Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP
He retired from international football in 2014 as Ivory Coast’s all-time leading scorer with 65 goals.
The rugged Drogba earned his most fame at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in all competitions for the London-based club. After one-year stints for clubs in China and Turkey, Drogba returned to Chelsea last season and was rewarded with his fourth English Premier League (EPL) title.
Chelsea fans cheered for Drogba as he was carried off the field after his final match for “The Blues,” the club’s nickname that is reflected in the home uniform of royal blue shirts and shorts.
Drogba is wearing blue again for Montreal and earning more cheers as he makes his maiden season in MLS a memorable one.
Nice one Sonny! I am keenly following Didier Drogba’s career in the MLS, and I have featured him at least twice in my weekly Nighline Africa Sports on the VOA.
Together with Obafemi Martins, the Nigerian international who is the highest paid Sounder in history, Drogba has ignited my interest in the MLS.
Drogba has retired from international football, but I hope Martins can re-enact his (Sounders FC) goal-scoring form when he rejoins the Super Eagles.
Great piece on Drogba Sonny.
Hello Mr Sonny, That was a befitting piece on the African football legend Didier Drogba.It has been an exciting and rewarding career for the gifted Ivorian. Looking at his age and his accomplishments in football, one can clearly see that Drogba is not yet done in football.I like the excitement he brought to the MLS.I see him scoring more goals in weeks and months ahead.