Nigerian star Victor Osimhen has explained the impact Ivorian legend Didier Drogba had on him.
Drogba is widely regarded as one of English giants Chelsea’s greatest players and a legend of African football.
Osimhen, who recently joined Italian giants SSC Napoli from French side Lille OSC, has often cited Drogba as his childhood idol.
“I grew up watching Didier Drogba play, he was an example for me,” Osimhen said on Goal.
“One day I was training and a man called me asking if I knew who I play like. He told me to go to YouTube and see Didier Drogba.
“There I fell in love with his way of playing and the kind of person he is. From that moment, seeing Drogba play had a major impact on my game and helped me a lot.”
Drogba, who retired from professional football in 2018, was named African Footballer of the Year twice, winning the accolade in 2006 and 2009.
The legendary centre forward captained Ivory Coast from 2006 until his retirement and he is the nation’s all-time top goalscorer with 65 goals from 105 appearances.
Drogba also led the Ivory Coast to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance in the tournament, and scored their first goal.
He later captained the Ivory Coast at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.