The 11th of March is a special date in the football calendar, as PremierBet‘s brand ambassador Didier Drogba celebrates his 45th birthday on Saturday! ๐
The word ‘legend’ is thrown around loosely in modern society, but that is certainly not the case when it comes to a man like Drogba. On the pitch he remains the Ivory Coast’s all-time top goalscorer, while off it he is widely credited with playing a vital role in helping bring peace to his country.
In October 2005, the Elephants’ golden generation of footballers defeated Sudan to qualify for their first ever World Cup. However, Ivory Coast had remained embroiled in civil war since 2002, with Drogba seizing the spotlight to make a desperate plea for the combatants to lay down their arms.
In the words of African football writer Carl Anka for the BBC, “Some players win trophies. Others inspire people. It is not hyperbole to say Didier Drogba did both and helped to end a civil war.” A powerful man spoke, and a receptive nation listened, with Drogba continuing his peace work thereafter as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.
Drogba’s philanthropy has not stopped there, either, with the legendary striker donating a ยฃ3 million signing on fee from his endorsement of Pepsi in 2009 towards the construction of a hospital in his hometown of Abidjan. He has regularly fought against poverty and disease through high-profile campaigns as well as the Didier Drogba Foundation, leading to his appointment as Vice President of Peace and Sport in 2018.
In the domestic club game, meanwhile, most of us will remember his time at Chelsea above all else. He is the Blues’ fourth highest goalscorer of all-time, winning four Premier League titles and nine domestic cups across two spells at the club, while his performance against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the 2011-12 Champions League final will forever live on as one of the most iconic individual performances in the history of the sport.
Missing their captain John Terry and three other key players through suspension, Chelsea’s remarkable run to the final looked set to end in heartbreak when Thomas Muller broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute. Drogba had other ideas, though, thumping home a headed equaliser five minutes later, before the last kick of his first spell at the club won the Blues their maiden Champions League trophy in the penalty shoot-out.
He may be turning 45 years of age, but Drogba is still an enviously stylish and suave individual, too, as his latest content in partnership with PremierBet proved! Black tie or tie dye is clearly no matter to a man of Drogba’s devilishly handsome appearance, with the Proudly African individual correctly reminding you to #BetWithTheBest.
In fact, there may be more incentive than ever to bet with PremierBet throughout March, with a Drogba-related shirt giveaway competition coming soon for our loyal customers. Keep your eyes pealed across the site for more details later this month. ๐๐๐ฅ
For now, join us in wishing Didier a very happy birthday!