Didier Drogba is one of the finest strikers the Premier League has ever seen. The powerhouse centre-forward dominated English defences for the better part of a decade at Stamford Bridge, achieving everything possible with Chelsea.
Ivory Coast’s biggest-ever star had a bit of everything in his locker. Pace, power, intelligent movement and a clinical nature in front of goal. The rise of Chelsea from Champions League hopefuls to lifting Europe’s biggest prize was carried on the shoulders of Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard.
The talisman played with and against the greatest players of his generation, including both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are both in the discussion around the best to ever step onto a pitch. However, Drogba claimed that, as of 2018, there were two other iconic figures who were still a level above.
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Drogba Praised Messi – But Thinks Two Legends Were Better
Speaking in 2018, the Ivorian goal-getter was asked for his thoughts on Messi specifically. His response may have been slightly surprising to those who had seen the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at his peak. Firstly, Drogba was full of praise for the Argentine hero, stating (per The Mirror):
“Messi could stop now, and he would already have done a lot for football.
“To win a World Cup would make him even more legendary. He’s an extraordinary player!”
Of course, Messi has since achieved World Cup glory after playing a starring role in Argentina’s 2022 triumph in Qatar. However, at the time of his comments, Drogba placed two legendary figures ahead of the little magician, as he went on to say: “He’s still not at the heights of Maradona and Pele, but he’s not far away.”
It would be interesting to hear if the ex-Blues star has changed his mind on this or whether Diego Maradona and Pele still sit at the top of the sport, with no competition. The South American icons are always discussed as two of the greatest players ever, but Messi’s World Cup win tipped the scales in his favour for many.
Drogba Labelled Cristiano Ronaldo ‘the Best Stiker in the World’
Ronaldo is the best goalscorer the beautiful game has ever seen, with the Portuguese superstar closing in on the 1000-goal mark at the ripe age of 40. In the same year he placed Pele and Maradona above Messi, Drogba hailed Ronaldo as the best striker in world football, saying during the 2018 World Cup (per Mail Sport):
“He’s the best striker at the moment in the world.
“He is complete, he can score headers, he can score left foot, right foot, free-kicks and he is always in movement. I think for a defender it’s very difficult to defend against a player who is always moving, and it’s easier for a midfield player to find a guy who is always in movement.”
It would be interesting to see where the African hero places the two out-of-this-world stars in 2025, and whether Messi has pulled level with Pele and Maradona in his mind. One thing’s certain, the retired forward is full of respect for his former opponent.
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