The UEFA Champions League is back this midweek as teams from all around Europe try to fight for a spot in the next round. One of the early frontrunners Manchester City faced Swiss side BSC Young Boys as they prevailed over them by a comfortable 3 goals to nil.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a penalty before adding a goal in the second half but that was not the talking point of the game. A few days back during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Haaland won the Gerd Muller trophy which is the award given to the best forward in Europe.
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba was the host during the ceremony and gave Haaland a challenge that on scoring his next goal he needs to replicate either his or Gary Lineker’s celebration. Being a man of his word, Haaland gladly accepted the challenge as he celebrated in the signature Drogba style after scoring the first goal against Young Boys.
Erling Haaland ACCEPTS Didier Drogba’s Ballon d’Or celebration challenge 👀✅ pic.twitter.com/RqSkwy39sv
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) November 7, 2023
Drogba very much appreciated this gesture by the Norweigian as he posted a collage of himself and Haaland doing the iconic celebration which out of respect Haaland also reposted on his Instagram.
Gary Lineker who presented the award to Haaland must be feeling left out as Haaland didn’t opt to choose him but shouldn’t feel too bad because Lineker retired a long way back and did not have any major celebrations to begin with.
How many goals has Didier Drogba scored in the UEFA Champions League
An icon of the game, Didier Drogba has enjoyed an illustrious career in France, England, and Turkey playing for clubs such as Marseille, Chelsea, and Galatasaray. Drogba has some iconic moments in the UCL whether it’s the “It’s a fuc****” disgrace” chant against Barcelona or winning the trophy at Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich.
Didier Drogba’s 2012 UCL performance. https://t.co/fQuE5iAaxF pic.twitter.com/4Ky0X17s7k
— MrBanks💰 (@Mrbankstips) February 2, 2023
Drogba has scored a total of 44 goals in 92 appearances along with 15 assists in the Champions League. During his debut season with Marseille, he scored a total of 5 goals in 6 matches which included a hat trick against Partizan. The majority of his goals came during his stint at London having scored 36 goals in 74 appearances and further providing 10 assists.
🎙️ José Mourinho on signing Didier Drogba for Chelsea:
“In 2003, I coached Porto and we faced Marseille in the Champions League. That evening, Drogba scored and celebrated his goal as if it were his last, the atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome went crazy, the noise was deafening.… pic.twitter.com/1eCTEkEQtX
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 20, 2023
His goals for Chelsea include a first win for Jose Mourinho in the UCL for Chelsea, a brace against PSG, a match-winning goal against Liverpool, and a goal in the final to equalize against Bayern Munich. For Galatasaray, he has 3 goals in 12 appearances along with 3 assists.
Drogba is a legend of the game and Mourinho once said “He gave me his sweat and his blood every minute he was on the pitch for me.” The multiple African Player of the Year winner and is currently the go-to man to host the FIFA Ballon d’Or awards ceremony.