Former Ivory Coast captain and all-time leading goalscorer Didier Drogba has received an honorary degree for his charitable work; 43-year-old has been credited with bringing peace to the West African nation.
Didier Drogba has been awarded an honorary degree by an Ivory Coast university for his charitable work in the country, alongside his footballing contributions.
The 43-year-old, who is Chelsea’s fourth-highest goalscorer of all-time with 164 goals in 381 appearances, not only led the Ivory Coast to three World Cups but played a vital role in the peace process in the West African nation.
One of his most notable acts came in 2005, after the Ivory Coast beat Sudan to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
Amid civil war, Drogba invited TV cameras into the team’s changing room after the game and made a speech begging his country to end the conflict. This led to a ceasefire after years of violence.
Drogba also donated £3m of his endorsement with Pepsi for a hospital to be built in his hometown of Abidjan.
