Didier Drogba, the former Chelsea and Ivory Coast national team striker, had the potential to win the prestigious France Football Ballon d’Or during his playing career.
This is, at least, the view of renowned French journalist and football historian Geoffroy Garetier. The Canal+ Sport analyst stated that the former Ivory Coast striker deserved to win the prestigious trophy in 2012.
“In 2012, Didier Drogba should have won the Ballon d’Or, but it was given to Messi for other reasons,” he stated.
That year, the Ivorian star delivered an outstanding performance with Chelsea, securing the Champions League title and playing a decisive role in the final. Didier Drogba scored a memorable last-minute goal against Bayern Munich and was also his club’s hero in the penalty shootout.
Even before the final, Drogba had showcased remarkable performances throughout the tournament, leading some to believe he deserved the Ballon d’Or.
However, the voting panel ultimately chose Lionel Messi, with Drogba only reaching eighth place in the Ballon d’Or rankings. That year, “La Pulga” scored an astonishing 91 goals in a single season, statistics that heavily influenced the voters.
Years later, the former Marseille striker reveals he has no regrets about not winning the Ballon d’Or during his career, as his journey exceeded all his expectations.
“In a player’s career, winning this trophy is always a dream. But honestly, it’s not a major regret for me because the career I had far surpassed my hopes,” the Ivorian stated.
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