Born in Abidjan on 11 March 1978, Didier Drogba spent his childhood in his native Ivory Coast and his adopted country, France. ‘Tito’, as he was known to friends and family, first left the country of his birth at the age of five. He headed for Brest in Brittany, where his uncle, Michel Goba, was a professional footballer.

He was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and at the age of five was sent to France by his parents to live with his uncle, Michel Goba, a professional footballer. However, Drogba soon became homesick and returned to Abidjan after three years.

The son of a bank clerk and a stay-at-home mom, Drogba’s love for football ignited on the dusty streets of his hometown. At the age of five, he was sent to live with his uncle, professional footballer Michel Goba, in France, to seek a better life and more opportunities.

His early childhood was spent in poverty. In an attempt to improve their son’s life, Didier’s parents sent him to France when he was just 5 years old to live with his uncle Michel Goba, an international soccer player also from the Ivory Coast. After a short three year stint in France, Didier returned to the Ivory Coast to live with his parents.

Didier Drogba was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He is the son of Albert and Clotilde Drogba, father and mother, respectively. Both parents worked in a bank. At the age of 10, the Ivorian player was sent to France to live with his uncle Michel Goba, who was also a professional player.