Didier Drogba was never just a striker. He was an example on the pitch, in the dressing room, and away from football itself.

The Côté d’Ivoire icon will forever be carved into the Premier League history books, remembered for moments that felt inevitable, breaking the hearts of rival fans in the most decisive moments. The power. The timing. The way he would rise above defenders and drill headers past helpless goalkeepers like physics wasn’t a thing to him. Growing up, watching him bully players on the pitch, imposing himself no matter the situation, was something to admire. Lifting silverware for his club year on year, constantly writing himself into the history books.

But for years, I only knew half of the story.

What I didn’t fully grasp was what Drogba represented outside of the game. In Côte d’Ivoire, his voice was just as important as his impact on the field. He was a symbol. Someone whose influence extended far beyond stadiums and scorelines. In a country divided by civil war, Drogba used his platform to plead for peace and unity. At a time when silence would have been safe, he chose responsibility.

That decision alone separates him from many who came before and after him.

It’s something we hardly see from athletes: to step into the political and social spaces with the genuine intent to make a change, confronting the issues in their own country. Some argue players should “stick to football.” Drogba proved that football, when used correctly, can become something far greater. His actions were a way of inspiring pride, it saved lives, eased tensions, and reminded people of the identity they share.

After the civil war moment, Drogba didn’t retreat to simply being a Premier League star. He leaned into the responsibility. Understanding that the impact he made shouldn’t simply end there. The launch of the Didier Drogba Foundation, extending his impacts off pitch by investing in the health care, education and community development across Côte d’Ivoire, funding the medical facilities in areas that have been neglected for far too long. What makes it greater is that it’s not a PR stunt; it’s a man who understands that his status doesn’t mean anything if he doesn’t use it to make a real change.

The striker’s legacy is powerful; he’s someone who saw himself as an ordinary man, someone who refused to position himself above others. We live in a time where athletes are almost encouraged to be reserved, neutral and avoid controversy. Drogba chose what people may deem the harder path, but it should be seen as the path of accountability. Using his platform to amplify voices and concerns that were not being acknowledged is something I admire and actively try to take on board for myself. He understood that silence from those in power often maintains the injustice.

Drogba represents what being an African truly should mean. No matter how successful you become, it should not lead to the abandonment of your heritage. Many African athletes may feel that once successful separation from the community they were brought up in will follow. Drogba rebuked that idea. The reputation he built from the ground up in Europe only heightened his ability to represent Côte d’Ivoire. From carrying his country to the biggest stages in football, to then carrying the responsibility he had for his community. 

Drogba once said, “I have won many trophies in my time, but nothing will ever top helping win  the battle in my country.” This is iconic. It’s the awareness of what really remains important for Didier Drogba, a man with a plethora of goals that defined trophy success, is a person who values the peace in his country higher than any moment in his career.

For me, Drogba represents more than footballing greatness. He embodies courage, the spirit to go into battle on the pitch, and speak off it, standing for something bigger than yourself instantly shows humility. The intensity, pride, and sacrifice with which he plays the game convey what his persona was like off the pitch. Growing up, not many players came across as true pioneers like Didier Drogba; his career will forever be remembered. He chose purpose instead of silence. It is why his legacy extends far beyond the pitch.