Not many people are likely to describe Jose Mourinho as a man of few words, but most will definitely admit that the Portuguese born manager has undeniably paid his dues when it comes to mining talents and setting and breaking of records in the business of football, so his name should never go unmentioned in the history of the round leather game. Many also see the football strategist retiring to a pundit, giving insights and his confidence-laden opinions about events and the fates of players and teams alike.
Jose Mourinho did not build his reputation as a lenient critic; he is mostly hated for his customary acerbic remarks about people which according to many of his fans could be termed clear facts stated in candour. Jose is known to be rationally dauntless, necessarily brutish, and far from being senile. However, his letters about Didier Drogba, one of the rare talents he had groomed into stardom, replete with unfettered emotions, depicting the picture of a gaffer longing to savour once more the good old days he’d shared with his beloved kid.
Joseph Mourinho’s remarks about Diedier Drogba:
“Didier Drogba came into my life in the fifth minute of a Champions League game in Marseille’s mythical Velodrome. I’d hardly sat down when that giant with the 11 on his shirt scored. He celebrated that goal like it was his last, the crowd went mad, the noise was deafening… At half-time I found him in the tunnel and told him; I don’t have the money to buy you, but do you have any cousins that can play like you in the Ivory Coast? He laughed, hugged me and said; one day you’ll be in a club that can buy me.
“Six months later I signed for Chelsea. I had found a super powerful club that everybody wanted to negotiate with, link to, and play for. I had a number of options, but I arrived and said; I want Didier Drogba…. A few days passed and I met with Didier in a private airport in London. Again he hugged me, but this time in an unforgettable way: an embrace that showed this man’s gratitude and affection he feels towards people who mean a lot to him. Then he told me, ‘thank you. I will fight for you. You won’t regret it. I will stay loyal to you forever.’ And that’s just what he’s done…
“His loyalty came out in his leadership and in the way he always faced up to the difficult moments; moments when nothing else matters than to be there for your leader and your colleagues. This was a person I knew I could count on whenever and wherever I needed him. When the team was under pressure he would help defend; when he felt pain he would stretch himself to the limit and then, of course, came what he did best; scoring goals. These goals brought him titles and awards, but what stays with me are the countless stories we have together.”
What is special about Drogba that had made him to secure a soft spot in the heart of Mourinho? Hard work and service mindset.
Drogba has been described by many as an embodiment of hard work and service. I could remember, growing up, how I had drawn strength and hope from watching Drogba exhibit these two characteristics on the football pitch. The footballer had a significant influence on this writer’s childhood experience, and several other people have mentioned how they have also developed a passion for football because of the Drogba’s effect.
A football fan who commented on a documentary about Drogba posted on youtube stated ‘’Didier Drogba is perhaps the most underrated player of his time… Statistics junkie and per minutes lovers are less likely to rate this influential player”.
Didier Drogba was not only an influential player of his time. He was a prophet — the Jesus and the Mohammed — that successfully gained a significant number of followers to his camp. When you look for style and grace, Drogba may not be your best point of reference, for he’s not an artist or a poet on the pitch. However, if you care for meaning and relevance, he’s a force to reckon with. He was a finished engineer, so they call him the clutch player. Drogba also added many other names to his titles, some of them include; legend, the man of big games, and Arsenal’s waterloo, etc.
His story was told at the 88th minute of the 2012 UEFA champions league final. Spectators had matched in thousands to the Allianz Arena, Munich, to witness what would be the breaking of a jinx for the London blues or an extension of history for the Red Germans. No sooner had Muller’s earthly header latched the ball to the north of the blues’ goal-post than Drogba’s rebuttal header ignited a new hope for the blues. The sensational equalizer made it to the book of life on three grounds — timeliness, relevance, and hope. Then followed his westerly penalty kick that made the difference. Nuer went East and the London blues danced triumphantly to the west with the trophy in their hands.
Hailed from a rural community in Ivory Coast, West Africa, the ‘black panther’ had many odds against him and needed to go the extra mile to gain any scintilla of attention in Europe. He deliberately scattered the tables, broke the jinx, and cleared all doubts. With a resounding force, he cast his own shadow to be larger than life. He was crowned king both home and abroad leaving his adversaries with two options – to sing his praise or mock themselves.
Drogba’s life is a life of purpose that is well lived and worthy of emulation in all ramifications of life. Even in building a successful business.
First Published on LinkedIn
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