Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has announced his retirement from international football with Ivory Coast.
Drogba, 36, who last month re-joined Chelsea following a two-season absence with spells in China and Turkey, made his 104th and final appearance for Les Elephants during the World Cup in Brazil.
The Ivory Coast captain was unable to help guide his nation past the group stage, with a late penalty for Greece from Georgios Samaras sealing the African side's fate.
The early exit in Brazil meant Ivory Coast had failed to reach the knockout stages in three consecutive World Cups, also going out in the group stage in 2006 -- the nation's maiden tournament -- and 2010.
Drogba also suffered further disappointment with the national side in the African Nations Cup -- the striker participated in final defeats to Egypt in 2006 and Zambia in 2012. He missed a penalty in normal time of the 2012 final.
The former Marseille man was part of a "Golden Generation," including the likes of Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou, that had been expected to lift Ivory Coast's first trophy since 1992.
Drogba made his international debut in 2002 and went on to win 104 caps, scoring 65 goals in the process.
0 Comment:
Post a Comment