Didier Drogba has weighed in on the Champions League semi-final clash between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, and his answer is as unexpected as it is diplomatic.
Speaking during Olympique de Marseille’s 125th anniversary celebration at the Stade Vélodrome, the Ivorian football icon was asked to pick a side between two clubs that each present a complex connection to his storied career.
The former Chelsea striker, who remains a cherished figure in both London and Marseille, offered a response that subtly echoed his footballing loyalties.
Drogba, who played an unforgettable season for Marseille in 2003 to 2004, was among the club legends honoured in a celebratory Legends Match on Friday evening.
The packed Velodrome welcomed him with a thunderous ovation, rekindling the bond between the fans and one of their most beloved former players.
But amid the festivities, the 46-year-old was presented with a tricky question: who does he support in the semi-final between Arsenal and PSG? The question carried emotional weight.
Arsenal, Chelsea’s long-standing London rivals, face off against Paris Saint-Germain, the sworn enemy of Drogba’s former French club, OM.
His reply was measured and laced with characteristic wit: “Do you really want to know the answer? Neither team. But I think it’s good for French football that a team has made it this far. Good luck to them.”
In just a few words, Drogba managed to sidestep the direct rivalry while offering a nod to French football’s broader progress on the European stage.
Though he didn’t name a preference, his refusal to back either team reflects the depth of loyalty to Chelsea and Marseille, two clubs with fiercely passionate fanbases and equally intense rivalries with the sides now competing in Europe’s final four.
His remarks also subtly touched on the ongoing feud between Marseille and PSG, two of France’s most historic and antagonistic clubs.
By abstaining from any open support for the Parisians, Drogba reaffirmed his allegiance to the colours of OM without needing to say it outright.
Drogba’s glittering football journey saw him become a legend at Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and cemented his status as one of the Premier League’s greatest forwards.
Yet before his London success, it was at Marseille where he made his name on the European scene. His single season with OM yielded 32 goals in 55 appearances and a deep UEFA Cup run, leaving a lasting impression on the fans and the city.
His appearance at the Stade Vélodrome this week served as a reminder of the legacy he left behind. Amid fireworks, cheers, and chants of his name, Drogba’s presence sparked emotion and nostalgia in a fanbase that continues to revere him.
As Arsenal and PSG prepare for a high-stakes clash, Didier Drogba’s response avoids stirring controversy while still making his loyalties clear. And for many supporters, it’s a reminder that in football, some allegiances run too deep to be swayed, even by the lure of a Champions League final.
