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ESPN staff 10y

#WorldCupRank: No. 43 Didier Drogba

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caption:Despite 2014 likely being Drogba's last World Cup, he still has plenty to offer up front the Les Elephants.
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No. 43 Didier Drogba, Galatasaray/Cote d'Ivoire

Why he's ranked: Does this 36-year-old icon of African sport have a final headline-grabbing World Cup left in him? At his best, few defenders could handle this powerful, dynamic, hungry and potent striker whose record of scoring big goals in his Chelsea days was remarkable. A glut of goals in FA Cup finals, League Cup finals and a decisive contribution in the 2012 Champions League final made Drogba a Stamford Bridge legend.

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caption: Drogba will team up with Yaya Toure to give Ivory Coast a potent one-two punch in Brazil.
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Key stat: In eight seasons with Chelsea, Drogba scored 157 goals, fourth-most in club history. First and only African player to score 100 Premier League goals.

What the experts say: "Drogba is and will be among the top five players in the history of African football. Rarely do you see a player with strength and technique of the Ivorian. He also has leadership and the ability to convince those around him. While his physical performance won't be the same, his touch of ball will be intact and inside the area he'll be lethal." -- Armando Neria, ESPN Mexico

What You Think:

Other articles:
- ESPN FC Blogs: Ivory Coast
- The countdown: Our Top 50 players of the World Cup

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