After 21 years, including two in MLS with the Montreal Impact, soccer legend Didier Drogba has called it a career at the age of 40.
He made the announcement in a message published on Twitter on Wednesday, stating: "Looking forward to the next chapter and hoping God will bless me as much as he did for my football career."
The native of the Ivory Coast began his pro career in 1998 in France and his career path would take him to England (Chelsea), China (Shanghai Shenhua), Turkey (Galatasaray), Canada (Montreal Impact) and the USA (Phoenix Rising).
Drogba enjoyed a memorable spell in MLS with the Montreal Impact in 2015 and 2016. His 21 goals in 33 appearances electrified the city as the Impact made the postseason in both campaigns.
Led by Drogba, Montreal demolished Toronto FC in the 2015 Knockout Round before bowing out 4-3 on aggregate to Columbus Crew SC. The Impact advanced further in 2016, falling one step short of MLS Cup after a memorable Eastern Conference Championship battle against Toronto FC.
Drogba left the Impact to join Phoenix Rising in the USL as the club seeks to make the jump to MLS via their expansion bid. On the field, Drogba led the club to the 2018 USL Cup title match, narrowly losing 1-0 to Louisville City earlier in November.
