“I’m a person who likes to treasure memories, and with them I can tell the world many things. I’m not a writer, even less a poet, but my life has been rich with stories, stories full of extraordinary moments. Looking back at them, I can find only a few special people who I will keep in my soul and in my heart forever.
The FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium, 2007. Manchester United: the last game of the season. A lot of people thought this would be my last game in charge of Chelsea. It was a great battle, and then Didier scored in extra-time. The final whistle blew and everybody went mad - apart from two calm individuals.
I ran into the dressing room to call my wife. One player avoided the immediate celebrations and followed me down the tunnel. It was Didier, chasing me for a hug. The game was over but in his mind as he left the pitch was only one thing: to hug me as soon as possible. Was he remembering our first encounter? Our second? Or was he thinking that this embrace could be the last…? He found me, we hugged and we cried.
Didier is a special person. And I repeat if I may: person. I could say player of course - and he’s an unbelievable one - but above all, his impact on the world at the moment is as a person: as an African, as an emperor of the Ivory Coast, as a father, and as a son and as a friend. And some of us have the privilege to have him in our lives.”
-José Mourinho
I am not a fan/supporter of either Mou or Chelsea FC… however, I’d be lying if I said, coming into futbol, Drogba wasn’t one of my favorite players. He remains as such for me, because of his foundation’s work as well as his personal efforts to help raise awareness to/promote gender equality in Africa. Simply put, I admire his overall quality as a human being.
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