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Didier Drogba: Farewell to Chelsea's legendary late bloomer

At 20 years old, the striker had still not made his professional debut, yet he was rewarded for his persistence and has retired as a great of the game

If Didier Drogba had not succeeded in professional football, he would likely have gone onto become an accountant.

What a loss it would have been for the game, but it was a very real prospect as he was studying the subject as a 20-year-old while a reserve for Le Mans, yet to make his professional debut. Injuries had threatened to derail his career before it had started, and he would be 21 before he had even made his first professional appearance.