Didier Drogba announces retirement from international football

Didier Drogba in action for Ivory Coast

 

 

 

 

Didier Drogba has decided to bring down the curtains on his international career today. The Ivory Coast forward brings an end to an illustrious career which spanned over 12 years.
The news was unveiled by the talismanic forward himself through social networking media, Twitter.
In 12 years of international football, Drogba was capped 104 times by Les Éléphants. He is Ivory Coast’s highest ever scorer with 65 goals for the Africans.
However, the only thing missing from his glorious career would be a trophy with his countrymen. The closest he got to bringing back some silverware was in the African Cup of Nations
They finished runners-up in the 2006 edition of the tournament after succumbing to Egypt on penalty shoot-out in the final.
Six year later in 2012, luck would again not be on their side as it was Zambia on this occasion to deny Drogba and co., again via penalties.
The Chelsea legend however brought his nation the first taste of FIFA World Cup with their first ever qualification to the tournament in 2006.
Ivory Coast would qualify for the World Cup again in 2010 and 2014 under the captaincy of Drogba.
Drogba was voted Ivory Coast Player of the year on three separate occasions in 2006, 2007, and 2012; while also winning the African Footballer of the year award in 2006 and 2009.