Didier Drogba has been awarded the Lemon Prize for the most unpleasant player with the press by Sport-Ivoire, a recognition highlighting his strained relationship with local media throughout the year. The tension reportedly began during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in South Africa after Ivory Coast’s quarter-final loss to Nigeria. Drogba’s behavior in the mixed zone was criticized, marking a departure from his usual positive reception in the media. Relations further soured in October when Drogba, on television, accused journalists of talking nonsense to fill their pages. The latest incident involved Drogba allegedly instructing teammate Salomon Kalou not to respond to an Ivorian journalist during the 2014 World Cup playoff against Senegal. Despite this, Kalou received the “Orange Prize” for being the most pleasant player with the media in Ivory Coast.
DIDIER DROGBA: MOST UNPLEASANT IVORIAN PLAYER WITH THE PRESS
