Right now the biggest story of the 2010 World Cup is not who will be there but who will not. American fans are focused on Rio Ferdinand and Charlie Davies, but the rest of Africa is focused on Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. Although he has yet to be completely ruled out for the tournament due to a broken elbow, no single star means more to this tournament than Drogba.
Obviously the World Cup is bigger than any one player, but make no mistake: this tournament is about African football and no one exemplifies African football and the power its stars have more than Drogba. On the pitch, Drogba is one of the best in the world. He led Chelsea to their third title in his tenure with the club (three of the club’s four ever titles) en route to the Premiership’s Golden Boot award. He is also the reigning African Footballer of the Year, the second time he has won the award. Should he be unable to play, his on-field performance will be severely missed.
Where Drogba’s presence will really be missed, however, is off the pitch. While I have no doubt that he’ll be in South Africa all month for the tournament, his inability to play and inspire his countrymen in the Ivory Coast could have lasting effects on the West African nation. Drogba’s performances in the 2006 tournament helped stop a civil war and propelled him to be one of the country’s most influential figures. His influence has grown so much that Time Magazine named him one of the world’s 100 Most Influential People this year. By not being able to play, his ability to reach millions of Africans and inspire other civil war factions, especially those in West Africa, to lay down arms the way he did four years ago is significantly reduced.
Whether it is on or off the pitch, Drogba will certainly be missed. Ivory Coast already faced a tough road out of their group that includes both Brazil and Portugal. Once the dark horse favorite to win the tournament, Les Éléphants are no longer expected to even advance from their group. Without Drogba, advancing will be next to impossible.