Early life
Didier Drogba was born in
Abidjan,
Côte d'Ivoire, and at the age of five was sent to France by his parents to live with his uncle,
Michel Goba, a professional footballer. However, Drogba soon became homesick and returned to Abidjan after three years. His mother nicknamed him "Tito", after president
Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, whom she admired greatly.
[11] He played football every day in a car park in the city but his return to Côte d'Ivoire was short lived. Both of his parents lost their jobs and he again returned to live with his uncle.
[12] In 1991, his parents also traveled to France; first to
Vannes and then settling in 1993 at
Antony in the
Paris suburbs, at which point the 15-year-old Drogba returned to live with them and his siblings.
[13] It was here that he began playing team football more frequently, joining a local youth side. Drogba began his career as a junior player at the semi-professional club
Levallois, gaining a reputation as a prolific scorer in the youth team and impressing the coach with his professional attitude. His performances earned him a place in the senior squad but despite scoring in his debut, the 18-year-old Ivorian failed to make an impression on Jacques Loncar, the first team coach.
[14]
No comments:
Post a Comment