Didier Drogba was a powerful, decisive centre-forward and the greatest player his country, the Ivory Coast, has produced. A late developer who made his name at Marseille, he became a Chelsea icon, a physically dominant striker who combined strength and aerial power with a flair for scoring in the biggest matches.
He was the talisman of Chelsea’s most successful era, delivering goals in finals with almost ritual reliability, and crowned it by scoring the equaliser and the winning penalty in the club’s first Champions League triumph in 2012. A totemic figure for Africa, he also used his standing to promote peace in his homeland.
Imposing yet skilful, Drogba was the definitive big-game player, a forward who saved his finest moments for when they mattered most.