Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is set to return to one of the clubs where he made his name
Didier Drogba is heading back to where it all exploded into stardom. Olympique de Marseille have officially confirmed that the Ivorian icon will once again don the famous white and blue jersey at the iconic Velodrome, although this time, it’s for a special celebration.
As part of the club’s 125th anniversary festivities, Drogba will take part in a highly anticipated legends match scheduled for Friday, May 2nd, 2025.
Drogba joins elite cast for Marseille’s 125th anniversary legends clash
Olympique de Marseille is not holding back for its 125-year milestone. The club has pulled together a dream lineup of legends spanning decades, and Didier Drogba’s return is the cherry on top.
The Ivorian striker, who lit up Ligue 1 in the early 2000s before becoming a Chelsea and Premier League icon, hasn’t worn the OM jersey in 11 years.
But come May 2nd, he’ll be strapping his boots back on and walking through the Velodrome tunnel once again.
Drogba won hearts at Marseille during his one season in 2003/2004, where he helped the French side reach the final of the 2004 UEFA Cup.
Now, alongside other club greats like Robert Pires, Franck Ribéry, and Samir Nasri, Drogba will line up in a match that spans generations, where Marseille fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their all-time starting XI.
Marseille set for tense end to the season
While the legends are lacing up for one last dance, the current Marseille squad is still in the middle of a nail-biting Ligue 1 campaign.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side, currently sitting third in the table, is in one of the tightest races for European qualification across the top five leagues.
Just days after the legends match, OM face a tricky away clash against Lille, another club with European ambitions.
Still, over 100 former Marseille stars are expected to participate in the anniversary celebration, with eras represented from the 1972 double-winning heroes to the 2010 Ligue 1 champions, and key figures from OM’s memorable European campaigns, like the 2004 UEFA Cup run and the 2018 Europa League final.
