02-02 - World Cup 2010 - Drogba - the SOUL of the Ivory Coast team suffers an elbow injury during World Cup scrimmage

Didier Drogba was five years old when he left his home town of Côte d'Ivoire to live and train with his uncle, in a small French town called Brest. After polishing his game in various youth leagues, Didier Drogba signed a professional contract at the age of 18. (Ligue 2 club Le Mans) With a few ups and downs, he had a few stints with various teams. During 2004, Didier Drogba was signed to an unprecedented £24 million (roughly 29.4 million US dollars) contract with Chelsea Football Club, which made him the most prevalent Côte d'Ivoire soccer player in history. This union of Drogba and Chelsea F.C. seemed to benefit both parties. In 2005, he helped lead Chelsea F.C. to their first ever Premier League title and followed up the next year with another league title. With numerous championships and titles, no other accolade is as important for Drogba as being the Captain of his national team during the 2006 World Cup. (Côte d'Ivoire) He has also been credited with initiating peace in his country. After a remarkable qualifying round in the 2006 World Cup, Drogba pleaded with his fellow countrymen to lay down their arms. Subsequently his pleas were answered and a cease-fire was established after a long and arduous 5 years of Civil War. His involvement in the peace process lead to Drogba being named as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine.

Didier Drogba rejoins his Ivory Coast teammates for yet another run in the 2010 World Cup. Unfortunately, Drogba suffered a broken arm during a World Cup warm-up match. This damaging injury dashed all hopes of him even playing in this years' World Cup competition. The initial media reports backed this presumption, but there has been other reports that state he could be back within 10 days. I will take a closer look at this injury and the surgical procedure that was done.

Friday June 4, 2010 - Didier Drogba collides with Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Japanese Defender) and suffers a broken arm

- Further medical tests show that he has a fractured ulna in his right forearm

Saturday June 5, 2010 - Drogba was admitted to the Lindenhof hospital in Berne

The following is a PRESS RELEASE, provided by the Ivory Coast National team:

Press Release

Following the fracture of the ulna which Didier Drogba suffered in the international friendly between Japan and the Ivory Coast, on June 4 in Sion, the national team captain was today, Saturday June 5, admitted to the Lindenhof hospital in Berne.

He was taken care of by Professors Ralph Hertel and Michel Gaillot, eminent specialists in their area.

The surgical operation which was necessitated by his condition was performed with success.

Professors Hertel and Gaillot, as well as the Elephants' medical staff, are confident regarding the speedy recovery of the player.

The FIF thank the sporting world and all those in the Ivory Coast, in Africa and throughout the world who have shown their support to Didier Drogba and the Ivory Coast.

There has been no definite time on when the international superstar will be eligible to return, but the medical staff has stated that they will be checking his condition on a day-to-day basis. They are hopeful that Drogba should be available in the Ivory Coasts' opening match on June 13, 2010 versus Portugal.