Drogba Reunites with Galatasaray Teammates Ahead of Arsenal Clash
1 October 2014
Didier Drogba, a footballing icon known for leaving a lasting impression wherever he plays, made a surprise visit to his former club Galatasaray this week while sidelined from Chelsea’s Champions League squad.
The Ivorian striker, who returned to Chelsea this summer after spells at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, was left out of José Mourinho’s travelling squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon. Taking advantage of his absence, Drogba reunited with several of his ex-teammates from the Turkish giants.
On the eve of Galatasaray’s high-profile Group D clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Drogba joined Wesley Sneijder and other members of the squad for dinner in London. The gesture highlighted the deep bond the former Chelsea forward maintains with the Istanbul club and its players.
During the reunion, the 36-year-old was presented with a signed Galatasaray shirt, a symbolic gesture underscoring the respect and affection he continues to enjoy in Turkey. Drogba played a pivotal role during his time at Galatasaray, helping the club to win the Turkish Super Lig and delivering key performances in both domestic and European competitions.
Widely considered one of Africa’s greatest ever footballers, Drogba is no stranger to hero’s welcomes. From his explosive rise at Marseille to his legendary status at Chelsea, where he famously scored the equaliser and winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, Drogba’s presence commands admiration across the footballing world.
His brief visit to Galatasaray’s camp offered a poignant reminder of his impact in Istanbul, where he was embraced as a leader on and off the pitch during his tenure from 2013 to 2014.
Galatasaray, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw in their Champions League opener against Anderlecht, face a stern test against Arsenal in North London. Drogba, no stranger to tormenting the Gunners during his Premier League career, will likely watch from the sidelines, albeit with a different allegiance this time.
Chelsea, meanwhile, travel back from Lisbon after securing a narrow 1-0 win over Sporting, maintaining their strong start to the European campaign despite Drogba’s absence.
Though his playing time may be more limited during his second spell at Stamford Bridge, Drogba’s legacy—as both a player and a global ambassador of the game—remains firmly intact.
