Drogba to bow out

An icon in his homeland, Didier Drogba will don the footballing orange of the Ivory Coast for one final time when the 2014 World Cup kicks of in Brazil in just over two weeks time. His career path has seen stops in Marseille, London, Shanghai and, as of 2013, Istanbul.

But at the age of 36, Drogba's dreams of success at the World Cup rest on his final foray on international football's greatest stage. When the prolific center forward leads the West African side out at the Arena Pernambuco on June 14 to face Japan, he'll break the 100-cap barrier. He's already Ivory Coast's top-scorer of all-time, but reaching the three-figure mark for appearances will make him the third-highest capped player in the country's footballing history.

Drogba's club career has largely followed an enigmatic streak, with his confident personality often creating issue within all of the various changing rooms he's been in. There's no denying though that the front-man has been an outstanding player at the very highest level. His crowning glory was getting his hands on the biggest prize in club football when his then-Chelsea side secured the 2012 UEFA Champions League title. Almost as if it were scripted, Drogba not only snatched victory away from their opponents Bayern Munich by scoring a late header, but the Ivorian also stroked home the winning spot-kick.

The Strong One

Drogba has, perhaps, struggled to claim appreciation for his abilities over the years. He set a brand new trend in football when he first arrived in England, as other coaches looked to replicate the tactical pattern of Jose Mourinho. The arrival of a forward with the physique, strength and power of Drogba became the sought-after commodity in a 4-3-3 formation.

The transfer fee of 29.7 million euros ($40 million) was recouped within months, as he steamed towards the league championship and 16 goals for the season. Over eight seasons at Stamford Bridge, Drogba scored 157 goals in all competitions, all of which helped win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the aforementioned Champions League.

For Ivory Coast, he would develop into both a talismanic presence and a model professional for others to emulate. Born in Abidjan, the country's capital, Drogba has become a symbol of ambition and peace in Ivory Coast. In fact, he's become an Ivorian icon. After Ivory Coast made their first-ever appearance at a World Cup back in 2006, Drogba's leadership on the pitch aided his country's recovery from a five-year civil war.

Drogba has led the struggle for peace, becoming the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in the process. He has grown famous for his countless acts of charity, and his foundation has the task of building hospitals in some of the most impoverished parts of the country.

World Cup woe

He scored nine goals in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, and added one at the finals in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. The Elephants' tournament ended in the group stages after just one victory (against Serbia and Montenegro in Munich).

"Competing at the previous two (World Cup) tournaments was very difficult," said Drogba at a press conference in Abidjan in mid-May. "We have a realistic chance to do better in Brazil and get past the first round."

"My job is to make sure this team is the most competitive possible, and that they make the Ivorian people proud," coach Sabri Lamouchi said. "I'm expecting the same thing from Didier and the rest of the players - to use all of his talent and experience and of all of his qualities as a football player and a man to help the Ivory Coast get past the first round."

Lamouchi, who was appointed in 2012 with no coaching experience, is tasked with shaking off the country's underachiever tag, which has grown from their poor performances at the last five African Cup of Nations tournaments.

A final flourish?

But the decision of the Galatasaray striker to step down from international football after Brazil has apparently surprised the French coach. In any case, Lamouchi's most challenging project will be to shape the squad around younger internationals, such as Gervinho and Salomon Kalou, one of Drogba's former teammates at Chelsea.

Upon leaving Chelsea, Drogba took an ambitious decision to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. His stay was short-lived however, and he signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray six months later, helping them to a league championship in 2013.

Since his memorable equalizer and winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, Drogba's career has quietly wound towards its inevitable end. But amid the bright colors and vibrant beats that Brazil will lay on this summer, Drogba's has one last chance to add his own stroke of orange-colored genius.