Didier Drogba plays football professionally.
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily ( [ didje dʁɔɡba ] ; born 11 March 1978 ) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a striker for American club Phoenix Rising FC . After playing in youth teams , Drogba made his professional debut aged 18 for Ligue 2 club Le Mans , and signed his first professional contract aged 21 . After finishing the 2002 -- 03 season with 17 goals in 34 appearances for Ligue 1 side Guingamp , he moved to Olympique de Marseille , where he finished as the third highest scorer in the 2003 -- 04 season with 19 goals and helped the club reach the 2004 UEFA Cup Final . He led the Ivory Coast to the 2006 FIFA World Cup , their first appearance in the tournament , and also scored their first goal .