Didier Drogba voted best striker in Ligue 1 over last 20 years

Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba has been voted in a fan poll as the best striker in the French top division over the last 20 years.

The French Ligue 1 social media account ran a poll to find the fan favourite striker over the last two decades.

Born in 1978, Drogba spent his youth career in France, moving to Le Mans in 1997 before graduating to its senior team in 1998 at age 20. In total he made 64 appearances for Le Mans in the four years he spent there, scoring 12 goals.

In the 2002/2003 season, he moved to fellow French Ligue 1 outfit Guingamp, making 45 appearances and scoring 20 times.

From 2003 to 2004 he was at French giants Olympique de Marseille scoring an impressive 19 goals in 35 matches.

Drogba reacted on Twitter as he said: “Wow, what recognition from the fans, thank you Guingamp and Marseille for allowing me to experience these incredible emotions.

“Great respect to all strikers who have played in the French championship.”

Now aged 42, the dynamic forward made 381 appearances for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League when he took the final penalty in a dramatic shootout to clinch the trophy against Bayern Munich.

He also retired as Ivory Coast’s record goal-scorer with 65 goals.

Last month, Drogba also pipped Dutchman Robin van Persie in an English Premier League (EPL) poll comparing the two players.

The poll which saw over 161 000 fans participate, saw Drogba earn 71 per cent of the votes.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo