Drogba retirement stuns Ivorian FA
Print Edition
AFTER 12 years of service and a record 65 goals in 104 games, Didier Drogba’s international retirement from the Ivory Coast team at the age of 36 has been met with “surprise” by the country’s federation, which said it wants to talk with the veteran striker over his decision.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation responded to Drogba’s announcement with a statement saying it was taken off guard and hadn’t been informed.
“The Ivorian Football Federation intends to make immediate contact (with Drogba) to determine the underlying reasons for this decision before giving its official position on the end of the international career of the player Didier Drogba,” FIF President Sidy Diallo said, delaying a tribute to one of its best-ever players.
Drogba announced his decision on Friday after representing his country since 2002 and captaining the national team for the last eight years. His final game was the last-minute loss to Greece at the World Cup in Brazil which denied the Ivorians a place in the second round for the first time.
“It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football,” Drogba wrote on his personal website. “These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call up to my last match I have always tried to give my best for my country.”
Meanwhile, Drogba’s Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas suits Frank Lampard’s central midfield role, manager Jose Mourinho said. Fabregas scored in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in Budapest on Sunday.
“Frank is the history of the club, history nobody can forget,” Mourinho told chelseafc.com. “Fabregas is the future; history is history but the future is more important at the moment.
“My opinion, and the opinion of my players, is that Fabregas is the right player to occupy that central position in midfield.”
Drogba twisted his ankle in the game and limped out.
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