Former Chelsea forward Didier Yves Drogba Tébily has denied claims that he has converted to Islam.
Didier Drogba, a Chelsea icon, has finally cleared the air on claims that he has converted to Islam from Christianity, with the Ivorian insisting that he has not.
Supposedly, the 44-year-old converted while visiting some Islamic scholars in his Ivory Coast neighbourhood, but the oldest player to score in the Champions League, at 36, has publicly denied the report.
Didier Drogba was actually photographed with his fellow scholars and shared on social media, where he was seen praying in an Islamic manner with his hands.
Since the claims circulated, there have been mixed reactions on social media before the Ivorian stepped out to deny changing faith, particularly in Arabic-speaking areas where Chelsea fans rejoiced at the news.
Former Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba believes he can improve the status of the game in the West African nation if he becomes the new president of the country’s football organisation (FIF), as he stated as elections in April 2022 approached.
He clarified the latest report on his switch to Islam on his official Twitter handle, @didierdrogba, with the caption, “This story is going viral, but I haven’t changed religion. This was just me paying respect to my Muslim brothers I was visiting in my village. A moment of togetherness. Much love and blessings to all.”
Drogba’s charitable activity has included using football to enhance the lives of people on the Ivory Coast. Drogba met with French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron in 2018 along with other African-born football stars. They announced a €15 million investment in African infrastructure, sports facilities, and business startup assistance.
Drogba will become a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021. There, he has emphasised the importance of personal fitness and physical activity, which the WHO estimates might save up to 5 million lives each year if enhanced.
