Chelsea have received a boost after Didier Drogba announced he was retiring from international football.
The 36-year-old, who rejoined the Blues on one-year deal last month, was Ivory Coast’s record scorer with 65 goals in 104 appearances.
He played in all three of his country’s World Cup group stage games this summer and could have missed a chunk of Chelsea’s Premier League and FA Cup campaign should the Ivorians qualify for next January’s Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Drogba has decided to step down from international duty and focus on prolonging his club career.
He said: “These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call up to my last match I have always tried to give my best for my country.
“I am very proud to have been captain of this team for eight years and to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football.”
Drogba made his Ivory Coast debut in September 2002, just under two years before he first joined Chelsea.
During his first spell at Stamford Bridge, he helped the Ivorians to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and the finals of the 2006 and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, both of which the Elephants lost in penalty shoot-outs.
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This post was last modified on 09/08/2014