Didier Drogba Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Didier Drogba Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

LifeBogger presents the full story of a football Legend and Accountant popularly known by the nickname “Tito.

Our version of Didier Drogba’s Biography Facts, including his Childhood Story, brings you a full account of the notable events of his boyhood days. We then proceed to tell you how Didier became famous.

The analysis of the Ivorian and Chelsea FC Football Legend involves his History, Life story before fame, family life and many off-and-on-pitch little-known facts.

Millions of football fans across the globe admire Didier Drogba. And many die-hard fans see him as the only football legend with an unmatched desire for Chelsea Football Club. Blues fans love him just as Real Madrid and Barca fans love Lionel Messi and C. Ronaldo.

Now let us begin with the major theme of this article.

Didier Didier Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:

This is Didier Didier in his childhood.
This is Didier Didier in his childhood.

For Biography Starters, his nickname is ‘Tito’, meaning ‘Giant’. Didier Drogba was born with the full name Didier Yves Drogba Tébily on March 11, 1978.

He was born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. His coming to this world was made possible by two Ivorian junior bankers who fell in love in the mid-1970s.

Didier Drogba, in his youthful days, grew up in a native village where harsh living conditions existed. His early life saw lots of hunger, which ravaged him and his family.

This economic situation made thousands of Ivorians flee their country for greener pasture in France. France at that time was seen as a refugee destination for Ivorian migrants.

Didier Drogba, during his childhood ages, suffered from malnutrition, which limited both his physical and mental growth.

His parents (Albert and Clotilde Drogba) struggled with their local banking jobs, which couldn’t put much food on the table.

For them, the only hope was to wait for monies promised by a French-based relative and footballer (Michel Goba).

Michel Goba was among the first early set of migrants who fled to France due to hardship in the native Ivory Coast.

Monies expected from him were to aid Didier’s journey to France, which was planned even at the tender age of 5.

Didier Drogba’s uncle ‘Michel Goba’ was known to have gotten an opportunity in France after he fled his country.

He settled as a footballer at a lower division club ‘Stade Brestois 29′. At that time, France absorbed many black refugee footballers.

Micheal Goba (Didier Drogba's Uncle).
Micheal Goba (Didier Drogba’s Uncle).

The decision to travel abroad:

Asides from sending monies, there were also hopes Michel Goba (Drogba’s Uncle) would come to the Ivory Coast, visit Didier and then take him alongside himself to France.

Thou, this hope was cut short as France refused Michel Goba a visa to visit Ivory Coast. This left him with the only option of sending monies which were only able to afford visa processing for one person.

After much debate by the family, it was decided that little Didier must travel alone to France. Travelling alone was fearing for Didier. It was a strange journey for the young little boy who hadn’t seen or entered a plane all his life.

At the airport during his departure, Didier’s parents placed a large label on his neck with the saying, ‘DIDIER DROGBA TO MEET MICHEL GOBA IN PARIS’.

Ideally, this tag made everyone at the Airport look strangely at him, thus wondering how desperate his parents were to jet him out of the country.

Young Drogba, upon his arrival in France, safely met his Uncle, who waited patiently for him at the Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Drogba's first arrival in France at age 5.
Drogba’s first arrival in France at age 5.

Didier Drogba Biography – Difficult Start to Life at France:

A few months after Didier Drogba got to France, his parents who were at Ivory Coast made a resolution. They were of the view that their son should focus entirely on academics and not become a footballer, as his uncle did.

However, Goba’s views were different. He wanted Didier to become a professional footballer like him. Michel Goba facilitated signing young Didier to a football academy in France.

Didier Drogba at Football Academy (Age 6).
Didier Drogba at Football Academy (Age 6).

On several occasions, both Goba and Didier’s parents disagreed on determining the future of the young lad.

However, a resolution was made at the end. It was agreed that Didier Drogba should mix both football and academics.

Didier Drogba had to pull out of the football academy and became formally registered to his school’s junior football team.

At this stage, there was an opportunity to mix both academics and playing little football.

After a little spell in France, Didier Drogba suddenly became unsettled living with his uncle. Ideally, he grew homesick not so long after his arrival in France.

When recently interviewed recently about this, Didier Drogba had this to say;…

‘I remember my early life in France. I cried every day. Not because I was in France – I could have been anywhere – but because I was so far, far away from my parents. I missed them so much.’

Didier Drogba only endured for three years before giving up on France, still at an early age. He was boldly telling his uncle about his desire to return to Ivory Coast to be with his parents.

After observing he couldn’t fight it any longer, Didier’s uncle angrily granted him this wish. He brought out monies and booked a flight for him. This saw Didier Drogba returning home to be with his parents in Abidjan.

Didier Drogba Biography – Leaving France for Africa:

Unfortunately, Didier Drogba’s return to his home country at the age of 8 didn’t go well. Ivory Coast was still at the peak of economic collapse at the time of his return.

The situation got to a point his parents couldn’t afford to pay his school fees. This resulted in Didier halting his education.

At some point, Didier Drogba began playing football at a local level. He began going to nearby football fields to get trained with friends. This he did for three years until he was 11.

At age 11, Didier Drogba’s parents lost their jobs. This time, the heat of Ivory Coast’s economic downtime could no longer be endured.

Full of regrets for allowing their son to leave France, Didier Drogba’s parents shamefully reached out to Michel Goba once again for assistance. Didier Drogba, at some point, personally admitted the mistake of leaving France.

Fortunately for him, Uncle Michel Goba responded and sent money for Didier Drogba to make a second coming to France.

Didier Drogba Biography Facts – The Second Coming to France:

In his second coming to France, Uncle Michel Goba still respected his parent’s wish to have him continue his studies. Goba decided to put Didier Drogba in school. He also taught him the necessary antics in soccer.

Due to academic pursuits, Didier maintained football at the youth level, where he played as a right-back.

His Uncle Michel Goba connected him to a youth football club ‘Levallois SP’ in 1993. He was instrumental in doing Didier Drogba’s football paperwork, as seen below.

Didier Drogba’s Football Paperwork (Age 14) was followed by his youth football at Le Mans.

Didier Drogba, at this time, concentrated on part-time football while studying at high school.

After his high school education, he went further to pursue a Degree in Accounting at the University of Maine. At the same time, he combined his education with football at Le Mans.

Didier Drogba was more interested in finishing his accountant degree before taking football full-time.

A Certified Chartered Accountant:

Didier Drogba never wanted to be a professional footballer until he was done with his education. Ideally, Didier Drogba got an Accounting Degree at the age of 21. Today is a registered chartered accountant.

At the age of 21, after his accounting degree, Didier decided to focus fully on football. First, he worked on the ability to play attacking roles.

This saw him converting to a forward instead of a right-back. At that time, there were lots of players more talented than him. They had pure talent. Thou, Didier Drogba’s desire was stronger than their talent.

His hard work got him a transfer to Guingamp in 2002, where he helped the club avoid relegation to the second division.

This accolade also got him transferred to Marseille for the 2003-04 season, where he scored 19 goals in 35 games to win the French Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

Having reached his athletic prime, the 26-year-old was targeted by many of Europe’s top clubs, and Chelsea paid a transfer fee of roughly $36 million for his services in 2004. The rest is history!

Didier Drogba has been loved by the whole of Africa ever since he made his first international appearance for the Ivory Coast team in 2002.
For many football pundits, Didier Drogba is the most decorated African Footballer ever. ‘Thanks to Chelsea FC’. He has been named African Footballer of the Year twice (2006 and 2009).
 He was responsible for catapulting his national team, nicknamed “the Elephants,” into the World Cup competition for the first time in 2006, and again in 2010.
Although the Elephants failed to advance past the group stage both times. Thou their appearance in soccer’s biggest tournament thrilled their devoted fans from Africa.

Didier Drogba Biography – Stopping a Civil War:

The Soccer Legend is often called ‘The Champion of Peace’ by peers and fans.

Didier Drogba’s ability to persuade his country people in stopping what would have been termed a CIVIL WAR no doubt made him be named among ‘the 100 most influential people in the world’ by Time Magazine.

As an immensely popular figure in his home country, he used his standing for good purposes when his country was on the brink of Civil war.

This is what actually happened;

As Ivory Coast was ravaged by civil war in 2006, Didier Drogba led the Elephants in prayers for peace after a World Cup qualifying game.

He further organized a team statement calling for an end to the war. This effort was credited with helping to bring about a cease-fire among armed groups in the Country.

This move brought immediate peace to all aggrieved cultural leaders in his country. In the end, a Post-Civil war that would have to take the lives of thousands was evaded.

Singing the African Way:

Despite living most of his life in European Countries, he never deviates from African culture. This involves singing his best country music as a compulsory song when told to sing on arrival at a new club.

Attraction to Chelsea FC Female Journalist:

For Didier Drogba, having fun is the enjoyment of pleasure. Flaunting around this particular Chelsea female journalist wasn’t new to fans. Thou, she never stops making good remarks of him.

Involvement with Magic System:

Before their first World Cup, the Ivory Coast squad made a recording with the Magic System Local Band. Here, Didier Drogba proved to the world that he could sing as well as play football.

National Team Leader:

Didier Drogba’s national teammates truly know what togetherness is. Their nature is unique and can’t be compared to other African National teams.

They reason together and act like real brothers. Didier Drogba, who is naturally seen as the King, is always at the centre of all affairs.

Interview with Thierry Henry:

Hear what Didier Drogba has to say about growing up playing football and his experiences playing in Africa. Watch below;

Ice Bucket Challenge:

Didier Drogba loves the ice bucket challenge. He does that to promote research donations and awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease. Watch Below;

Didier Drogba Biography Facts – Super Mum Cooks for the National Team:

Did you know?… Didier Drogba’s mum still looks very ‘Young and Super’. The mother of Cote d’Ivoire International leads a team of women who cook for the national team and their supporters.

Clotilde Drogba loves to do the traditional home cooking of beans, pepper soup, white rice and stew.

According to her,  ‘I love to contribute to my nation by feeding both the national team supporters and players free of charge. My food gives supporters the strength to cheer our team to victory’.

Every match day, hundreds of the Elephants supporters queue up with empty bowls to collect food free of charge from the mother of the most influential Ivorian player. They do that before heading to the stands to sing and clap.

Didier Drogba Biography – A Taste of Anger:

Despite being diplomatic, Didier Drogba can also go mad. The video below reveals a moment he lost his cool.

As Didier Drogba puts it, ”This can only happen when having the feeling of me or my team being cheated ”.

He once pointed the finger at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the Champions League clash with Barcelona. This outburst, as presented below, shows Didier Drogba was really going mad.

Solving Family Issues for a Friend:

He once advised and helped his troubled Togolese friend ‘Emmanuel Adebayor‘ resolve his family issue.

Learning the Guitar:

Chris Cohen teaches Didier how to use the Guitar and play his song that fans chant during matches, and then sings along with him in a forest. Watch Below;

Didier Drogba Love Life:

Yes, going below people’s expectations, Didier Drogba settled for a lady from his native Côte d’Ivoire. He is currently married to Diakité Lalla, a Malian woman whom he met in Paris, and the couple have three children together.

Below is a photo of Didier Drogba’s traditional wedding which was done in Abidjan.

Didier Drogba Children:

Below is Isaac Drogba (Didier’s first son) and Iman Drogba (Didier’s First and only daughter). Isaac Drogba has played for Chelsea Under 14s.

His eldest son, Isaac, was born in France in 1999 but grew up in England and has played in the Chelsea academy system.

Didier Drogba also has a last son called Kieran Drogba. He was born in 2010.

Meet Didier Drogba's Children.
Meet Didier Drogba’s Children.

Didier Drogba’s Son – The Relationship with Isaac Drogba:

Drogba really loves to celebrate his son. Isaac (Pictured above) is currently 17 years old at the time of writing this article.

Didier Drogba’s son Isaac wants to follow in his father’s footsteps at Chelsea but plans to represent England and not the Ivory Coast. He even snubbed France.

Didier Drogba Lifestyle – Spending time with Family:

Didier Drogba loves to take his wife and children on holiday trips on his luxurious yacht. The celebrity footballer has been seen on a sporting T-shirt with a picture of Mike Tyson across the front as he enjoyed a day out at St Tropez with his family.

Didier Drogba Rihanna Story:

Drogba has once been spotted hanging out and partying together with Rihanna. This was after Chelsea’s Champions League Victory.

Didier Drogba Biography – The Die Hard Footballer:

Indeed, Didier Drogba, during his Chelsea days, made very hard sacrifices for the club. He is a true Chelsea Legend come rain, come sun. We present to you one of his ‘Die Hard‘ moments.

Didier Drogba Frank Lampard Relationship:

Didier Drogba has always expressed his love for Frank Lampard. On regular occasions, mostly during celebrations, he forms the usual habit of singing the ‘Super Frank’ song to Chelsea fans.

This one happened the day their Champions League trophy was brought home. Both friends are, indeed, expendable. Watch Below;

Didier Drogba Roman Abramovich Relationship:

Drogba indeed has a strong relationship with Roman Abrahimovic (Chelsea FC owner).

Didier Drogba Roman Abramovich Relationship.
Didier Drogba Roman Abramovich Relationship.

Our popularity index of Didier Drogba.

No doubt, even though his time at Chelsea saw its end, memories of him will last forever. Drogba continues to be a revered figure in football for many young Ivorians, whom he has significantly influenced in their journeys to becoming professional players. This includes notable talents such as Ibrahim Sangare (Midfielder), Simon Adingra (Winger) and David Datro Fofana (Forward).

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for taking the time to read LifeBogger’s version of Didier Drogba’s Biography.

We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver Ivorian and African Football Stories in general. Please stay tuned for more! The History of Sofyan Amrabat and Pape Matar Sarr will excite you.

Hi there! I am Hale Hendrix, a passionate football enthusiast and writer dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of footballers' childhood and biography. With a deep love for the beautiful game, I have spent countless hours researching and interviewing players to bring to light the lesser-known details of their lives.

2 COMMENTS

  1. fantastic, I am really impressed. I have always loved the man and will continue to do so especially in relation to his contributions in eliminating the civil war that would have ravaged souls. May God continue to guide him.

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