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Commitment: My Autobiography
The story of one of the most recognisable and successful players in world football. Didier Drogba is renowned for his heading ability, sharp shooting and sheer strength. He has played for his native Ivory Coast and for clubs in France, China and Turkey, but it is as a Chelsea striker that he is best known. His feats with Chelsea have made him a cult hero among supporters. In Didier Drogba's honest and revealing autobiography he will talk about life as an immigrant in Paris, the importance of his education and how finding success later than most professional footballers has kept him grounded.In 2012 Didier was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player. He talks from a privileged behind-the-scenes position about tactics and how he felt mentally and physically as well as anecdotes from the dressing room. Didier provides unique insight into important and controversial matches from the first trophy he won with them in 2005 to the Premier League title a decade later; as well as what persuaded him to stay when he was at his lowest ebb.Away from football Drogba has been widely applauded for his involvement in trying to broker peace in the Ivorian civil war - he is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and does a huge amount of work with the Didier Drogba Foundation - Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people. Go behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge and find out about life on and off the field for this humble Chelsea hero.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 29, 2017
Dipten zirveye bir hayat hikayesi. Hayatta hiçbir şey için geç kalmadığımızı, ilk önce insanın kendine inanması gerektiğini, ailenin ve dostların önemini anlatan harika otobiyografi.
January 25, 2018
Didier Drogba is arguably one of Africa's most successful footballers (pardon me Messrs Eto'o and Weah). In this tell all book, Drogba shares his life story in a very readable narrative.
Drogba was born in Abijan, Ivory Coast the son of a bank employee and a housewife. At age 5, Drogba moved to France to live with his uncle and aunt. This would be where his football roots would be forged.
With an uncle who was a professional footballer, Drogba found inspiration and encouragement to pursue a career as a sportsman. He played some junior level club football until his father, who had moved to France with the rest of the family, banned him from competitive sports.
Submitting to the authority of his father, Drogba spent a year without playing football and focusing on improving his school grades. Fortuitously, the ban was lifted and he plunged straight back into the world of football, now more determined than ever to become a pro.
PSG soon made an offer, but Drogba turned it down, instinctively realising that something was off about it. This proved a good decision in the long run.
After stints at Le Mans in French Ligue 2 and Guingamp in French Ligue 1, Drogba was eventually signed by Marseille. He spent a full season at Marseille where in a Champions League game against Porto, he impressed their then manager José Mourinho.
Mourinho wistfully vowed to sign Drogba one day.
At the end of his first season at Marseille, Drogba reluctantly moved to Chelsea. And the rest as they say, is history.
Didier Drogba was to spend the next 8 years in London as Chelsea's talismanic forward, winning every trophy along the way. Eventually , seeking a new adventure after the Champions League victory of 2012, Drogba moved to China and then later Turkey, before returning for another season at Chelsea in 2014.
In all this, Drogba also tells of his family, relationships with teammates (he is particularly fond of Flourent Malouda, Frank Lampard and José Mourinho), personal insecurities, turmoil in his native Ivory Coast and his philanthropic efforts in Africa.
Key Takeaways
Hard work beats talent. Drogba admits repeatedly that he was not as gifted as his contemporaries but had a stronger will to win. This translated into a indefatigable work ethic.
Don't compare yourself to others - your time is your time. Early on Drogba consistently mentions his age mates Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet as having leap frogged him in development. By all accounts, Drogba peaked later in his career. But finally, the author seems at peace with it. In fact, this arguably aided the extraordinary longevity of his career!
Treat people with respect and be a person of your word. The reason Drogba didn't want to sign to Chelsea initially was that he had already extended his contract with Marseille. Even though the money was better at Chelsea, he would not have moved if he had not felt disrespected by the club president.
What I liked about the book
The conversational style of writing
Interesting to have a player's accounts of memorable moments in football history
I learnt a great deal about the "backrooms" of football clubs.
What I didn't like about the book
It felt like the writing was made up of sound bites and the typical things players say in post match interviews. To be fair, this may be due to the fact that English is not the author's first language.
Drogba seems to vindicate himself a lot. Granted that is his prerogative, but it gets a little annoying after a while. That said, he does certainly come across as a very genuine, kind and compassionate man.
I really enjoyed this book. The rating is probably not as high as it could have been because I care little for Chelsea Football Club!
Drogba was born in Abijan, Ivory Coast the son of a bank employee and a housewife. At age 5, Drogba moved to France to live with his uncle and aunt. This would be where his football roots would be forged.
With an uncle who was a professional footballer, Drogba found inspiration and encouragement to pursue a career as a sportsman. He played some junior level club football until his father, who had moved to France with the rest of the family, banned him from competitive sports.
Submitting to the authority of his father, Drogba spent a year without playing football and focusing on improving his school grades. Fortuitously, the ban was lifted and he plunged straight back into the world of football, now more determined than ever to become a pro.
PSG soon made an offer, but Drogba turned it down, instinctively realising that something was off about it. This proved a good decision in the long run.
After stints at Le Mans in French Ligue 2 and Guingamp in French Ligue 1, Drogba was eventually signed by Marseille. He spent a full season at Marseille where in a Champions League game against Porto, he impressed their then manager José Mourinho.
Mourinho wistfully vowed to sign Drogba one day.
At the end of his first season at Marseille, Drogba reluctantly moved to Chelsea. And the rest as they say, is history.
Didier Drogba was to spend the next 8 years in London as Chelsea's talismanic forward, winning every trophy along the way. Eventually , seeking a new adventure after the Champions League victory of 2012, Drogba moved to China and then later Turkey, before returning for another season at Chelsea in 2014.
In all this, Drogba also tells of his family, relationships with teammates (he is particularly fond of Flourent Malouda, Frank Lampard and José Mourinho), personal insecurities, turmoil in his native Ivory Coast and his philanthropic efforts in Africa.
Key Takeaways
Hard work beats talent. Drogba admits repeatedly that he was not as gifted as his contemporaries but had a stronger will to win. This translated into a indefatigable work ethic.
Don't compare yourself to others - your time is your time. Early on Drogba consistently mentions his age mates Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet as having leap frogged him in development. By all accounts, Drogba peaked later in his career. But finally, the author seems at peace with it. In fact, this arguably aided the extraordinary longevity of his career!
Treat people with respect and be a person of your word. The reason Drogba didn't want to sign to Chelsea initially was that he had already extended his contract with Marseille. Even though the money was better at Chelsea, he would not have moved if he had not felt disrespected by the club president.
What I liked about the book
The conversational style of writing
Interesting to have a player's accounts of memorable moments in football history
I learnt a great deal about the "backrooms" of football clubs.
What I didn't like about the book
It felt like the writing was made up of sound bites and the typical things players say in post match interviews. To be fair, this may be due to the fact that English is not the author's first language.
Drogba seems to vindicate himself a lot. Granted that is his prerogative, but it gets a little annoying after a while. That said, he does certainly come across as a very genuine, kind and compassionate man.
I really enjoyed this book. The rating is probably not as high as it could have been because I care little for Chelsea Football Club!
December 11, 2015
This book was written by Drogba without a doubt. It's written in the plainest conversational English. That being said the book is very enjoyable and easy to read. As a big fan of Drogba and Chelsea I was surprised by a few passages in the book and can say that my level of respect and admiration for the man has only increased after finishing this book.
October 5, 2019
A good well written book, but I could not warm to him as a person. He said a few to many times " I scored the important goal " and at the end of the book is a list of all he as won and is awards etc. He wants to represent himself as humble but I feel he is not quite there, more accountability given to his team mates would have been nice.
May 11, 2019
I Don’t Always Dive, But When I Do, it Gets Lost in Translation
An open memoir on a career in English Football, Didier Drogba’s Autobiography is a play-by-play of the many moments that defined his life on the pitch. It is an enjoyable read, providing honest glimpses into not only the game, but the mind of a professional striker. Didier alternates between moments of arrogance and defensiveness over mistakes. He can seem a bit emotional and even unprofessional at times. But, just watching him play you realize that it is not really arrogance, but simply a sense of confidence, and an overriding passion for the sport that drives his emotionality in the game.
Watching fans perform the Coupé-décalé, you can see that he is well loved. He definitely matured to be one of the highest scoring strikers in the world. But, it wasn’t always that way in every season. He struggled to reach the point where he could perform consistently game after game. He is from Côte d'Ivoire originally, but went to live with his brother in France, where he first began to play for Lemans. Later, when he had his first really successful year with Marseille, he was given the opportunity to go up to the Premier Leagues with Chelsea. He was not happy about that at first, because he took it that Marseille did not have faith in him to repeat that previous year’s results.
To hear him describe some of his conversations with managers, you would think it must be a headache for them to deal with players on such levels of emotion. While telling the managers how to plan the plays, he tells them it is their choice. I found that a bit surprising… giving the manager permission to have it his way. Ok… moving right along, now that we have your permission Didier. I can also imagine the other players on his team deciding they needed to step up their game, because they were about to have to hear him cry if they didn’t win.
He has been accused of diving quite a bit. Of course, I do not get the point why that matters when it seems diving is the norm in the game. The players seem to have the idea that they should just fall down holding any body part that has made contact with another player and wait for the referees to either grant the penalties or not. Let the refs sort it out and you may get the benefits. But, he talked about when he was accused of diving at one game, and a reporter asked him after the game if he dived. Misunderstanding the English, he responded, ‘Sometimes I dive…’ but went on to explain that some nights he plays quite well and is successful. The reporter only shared that single phrase, and the sound bite was all over the media. He had only been in the country for a short time and was still learning the language.
Didier never attended the Football youth academies. He got into the game later. It seems that he struggled to reach the level of fitness that the other players had, and he admits this easily. Because of his drive and ambition to win, and his lack of aerobic fitness, he received many injuries. This left him out of the games at many times he was needed in the early years.
He would respond to the lack of faith in his game by insisting that he would win the game for them if they would build the play around him. He didn’t seem to understand that just because he had faith in himself didn’t mean the team would have faith in him. Usually it is best to show yourself for what you are, rather than say what you can be if given a chance. I am not sure how well he learned this, but he definitely learned many good lessons from the experience.
I am impressed with the fact that he insists on playing for himself, knowing that was the only way to do well and please others in the game. He always had personal goals for scoring. He worked to beat his own personal record. And he became an inspiration in his homeland, where he can work to bring peace to a country that has already had two civil wars in this century. He talks about his family in the book, too. He seems to be focused on family and has a great work ethic. He details in the book some of the things that he is doing to give back to his native country.
Overall, I enjoyed listening to the book in the Audible format narrated by Stefan Cornicard in an authentic sounding accent. It’s almost hard to believe you are not listening to Didier himself. This was my stop in Côte d'Ivoire for my Journey Around the World in 80 Books for 2019. My next stop is Ghana, where I am reading a study of the Mining industry in five key African countries, including Ghana.
An open memoir on a career in English Football, Didier Drogba’s Autobiography is a play-by-play of the many moments that defined his life on the pitch. It is an enjoyable read, providing honest glimpses into not only the game, but the mind of a professional striker. Didier alternates between moments of arrogance and defensiveness over mistakes. He can seem a bit emotional and even unprofessional at times. But, just watching him play you realize that it is not really arrogance, but simply a sense of confidence, and an overriding passion for the sport that drives his emotionality in the game.
"Football is a sport of emotions. We are not robots, we are human beings. We cannot separate out how we feel about ourselves, or what is going on in our lives, from what we do on the pitch. Well, I can't for sure. To play well, I need the affirmation of others that they want me to be there. Once I get that, I am capable of anything - and in return I will give them everything.!"
Watching fans perform the Coupé-décalé, you can see that he is well loved. He definitely matured to be one of the highest scoring strikers in the world. But, it wasn’t always that way in every season. He struggled to reach the point where he could perform consistently game after game. He is from Côte d'Ivoire originally, but went to live with his brother in France, where he first began to play for Lemans. Later, when he had his first really successful year with Marseille, he was given the opportunity to go up to the Premier Leagues with Chelsea. He was not happy about that at first, because he took it that Marseille did not have faith in him to repeat that previous year’s results.
To hear him describe some of his conversations with managers, you would think it must be a headache for them to deal with players on such levels of emotion. While telling the managers how to plan the plays, he tells them it is their choice. I found that a bit surprising… giving the manager permission to have it his way. Ok… moving right along, now that we have your permission Didier. I can also imagine the other players on his team deciding they needed to step up their game, because they were about to have to hear him cry if they didn’t win.
He has been accused of diving quite a bit. Of course, I do not get the point why that matters when it seems diving is the norm in the game. The players seem to have the idea that they should just fall down holding any body part that has made contact with another player and wait for the referees to either grant the penalties or not. Let the refs sort it out and you may get the benefits. But, he talked about when he was accused of diving at one game, and a reporter asked him after the game if he dived. Misunderstanding the English, he responded, ‘Sometimes I dive…’ but went on to explain that some nights he plays quite well and is successful. The reporter only shared that single phrase, and the sound bite was all over the media. He had only been in the country for a short time and was still learning the language.
Didier never attended the Football youth academies. He got into the game later. It seems that he struggled to reach the level of fitness that the other players had, and he admits this easily. Because of his drive and ambition to win, and his lack of aerobic fitness, he received many injuries. This left him out of the games at many times he was needed in the early years.
He would respond to the lack of faith in his game by insisting that he would win the game for them if they would build the play around him. He didn’t seem to understand that just because he had faith in himself didn’t mean the team would have faith in him. Usually it is best to show yourself for what you are, rather than say what you can be if given a chance. I am not sure how well he learned this, but he definitely learned many good lessons from the experience.
With success comes responsibility towards others.
I am impressed with the fact that he insists on playing for himself, knowing that was the only way to do well and please others in the game. He always had personal goals for scoring. He worked to beat his own personal record. And he became an inspiration in his homeland, where he can work to bring peace to a country that has already had two civil wars in this century. He talks about his family in the book, too. He seems to be focused on family and has a great work ethic. He details in the book some of the things that he is doing to give back to his native country.
”Talent was never enough. Hard work could beat talent…”
Overall, I enjoyed listening to the book in the Audible format narrated by Stefan Cornicard in an authentic sounding accent. It’s almost hard to believe you are not listening to Didier himself. This was my stop in Côte d'Ivoire for my Journey Around the World in 80 Books for 2019. My next stop is Ghana, where I am reading a study of the Mining industry in five key African countries, including Ghana.
May 7, 2020
As great as Drogba was a player but this book was just a bunch of things written chronologically about his career. There are very few insights about his life, inside chelsea. And more than anything else, yes, he has been a philanthropist back in africa but this book was written purely in a self centered way. Every single goal he described seemed to be important when he scored but however whenever he missed chances or for that matter, vital penalties in shoot outs or getting red cards in finals, the opponents were destined to win the finals however well his team played. He has definitely scored a lot of goals in final matches but that's not what needs to be repeated again and again in the book like no one else scored important goals. Even once, when someone else scored in a 1-0 win, his assist was vital apparently. As a footballer, philanthropist, great, awesome but as a writer , definitely terrible and I was quite disappointed with a rather selfish manner in which the book was written.
August 20, 2021
Drogba to me seems like a sensitive individual plagued by insecurities. An individual that needs others (managers, players, fans) to believe in him before he believes in himself and delivers. It all worked out in the end as he’s easily one of the greatest African soccer players but I honestly learnt a lot less than I hoped from this book. What if others didn’t believe in him? Would he have achieved what he did? I doubt it. In my opinion it’s important to believe in yourself before others do. As an individual seeking inspiration & mental insights I received very little from reading this book. However, for those in managerial positions a lesson can learnt about how to get the best out of people that you manage using psychology. This is true for any setting, not just soccer. Believe in those that you manage, trust them and make them trust themselves and they’ll unlock their potential and go to war for you.
The books does highlight the value of hard work, commitment and leadership which I appreciated. He dedicated himself, surrounded himself with a team of professionals in the form of fitness coaches, therapists and limited distractions to enhance focus. Fairly generic stuff for a top professional athlete and it just goes to show that the simple things are what help you win in life. Hard work + focus = success. On the leadership aspect Drogba took it upon himself to have a voice and shoulder responsibility the older and more experienced he got. He would rally the troops and advise the young ones on how to conduct themselves while playing a role in uniting a country torn by civil war using his platform.
Overall, it’s a decent read. It’s just not as insightful as I’d have hoped.
The books does highlight the value of hard work, commitment and leadership which I appreciated. He dedicated himself, surrounded himself with a team of professionals in the form of fitness coaches, therapists and limited distractions to enhance focus. Fairly generic stuff for a top professional athlete and it just goes to show that the simple things are what help you win in life. Hard work + focus = success. On the leadership aspect Drogba took it upon himself to have a voice and shoulder responsibility the older and more experienced he got. He would rally the troops and advise the young ones on how to conduct themselves while playing a role in uniting a country torn by civil war using his platform.
Overall, it’s a decent read. It’s just not as insightful as I’d have hoped.
May 17, 2017
I tried to remain neutral (having attended the Bridge for over forty years) as to the quality of the book but quite happy to give it five stars anyway given the quality of the writing and the manner in which key dramatic moments unfold. Most importantly there is a clear picture of Didier, his values and attitudes. He shares the incredible journey from the low key upbringing in Ivory Coast and various regions of France - sent to a cast of family members to improve his opportunities - to superstardom, with sensitivity and intelligence. His charitable and humanitarian endeavours only add to the impressive portrait.
The central sections are clearly great reading for Chelsea fans. The beauty and willpower of his scoring contributions in four FA Cup Finals and of course in Munich would be towering achievements to rival any sporting prowess. Didier's interventions both on and off the pitch for his homeland are also the stuff of legend, not least helping to diffuse a civil war. Many players have shown immense levels of determination and fallen short in achieving so much on the major stages that ultimately it's only possible to conclude this is a very special man with a very special story to tell about conquering the odds on both a personal and team stage.
Some minor football inaccuracies (Chelsea's first trophy of the Abramovich era was in 2005 rather than a year earlier) which in no way diminish the whole.
The central sections are clearly great reading for Chelsea fans. The beauty and willpower of his scoring contributions in four FA Cup Finals and of course in Munich would be towering achievements to rival any sporting prowess. Didier's interventions both on and off the pitch for his homeland are also the stuff of legend, not least helping to diffuse a civil war. Many players have shown immense levels of determination and fallen short in achieving so much on the major stages that ultimately it's only possible to conclude this is a very special man with a very special story to tell about conquering the odds on both a personal and team stage.
Some minor football inaccuracies (Chelsea's first trophy of the Abramovich era was in 2005 rather than a year earlier) which in no way diminish the whole.
May 10, 2023
As a Chelsea fan I genuinely enjoyed reading this. It was interesting to read how he grew up and what he went through to become a professional soccer player.
I really enjoyed reading his perspective on coming to Chelsea and his thoughts on some of his biggest career moments at Chelsea. It was fun remembering watching those moments on TV and then reading what his mind was going through during those moments.
If you are a Chelsea FC fan this is a must read and if you are a soccer fan, I would recommend reading his autobiography as he talks about his relationships with other players, staff, and coaches.
I really enjoyed reading his perspective on coming to Chelsea and his thoughts on some of his biggest career moments at Chelsea. It was fun remembering watching those moments on TV and then reading what his mind was going through during those moments.
If you are a Chelsea FC fan this is a must read and if you are a soccer fan, I would recommend reading his autobiography as he talks about his relationships with other players, staff, and coaches.
August 1, 2018
The few footballing books that I have read so far haven't shone a great light on the genre. Commitment, changes my opinion on it.
Drogba may not be a great writer, but this book is undeniably well written. It is clear, concise, and follows a great structure, chronicling his upheaval from the Ivory Coast to France in his childhood, through his illustrious Chelsea career, tailing off with his immense charity efforts.
The book shines light on his relationships with many people, and as a Chelsea Fan it is great to read. He is not shy of criticizing others whilst remaining respectful and always underlining that they are just his opinions. Reading about his emotions during pivotal moments that I myself have seen was wonderful, and I especially enjoyed reading about his approach to Arjen Robben as he went to take a penalty kick in the 2012 UCL final.
Drogba may not be a great writer, but this book is undeniably well written. It is clear, concise, and follows a great structure, chronicling his upheaval from the Ivory Coast to France in his childhood, through his illustrious Chelsea career, tailing off with his immense charity efforts.
The book shines light on his relationships with many people, and as a Chelsea Fan it is great to read. He is not shy of criticizing others whilst remaining respectful and always underlining that they are just his opinions. Reading about his emotions during pivotal moments that I myself have seen was wonderful, and I especially enjoyed reading about his approach to Arjen Robben as he went to take a penalty kick in the 2012 UCL final.
July 19, 2019
Footballing icon Didier Drogba tells his life story from moving from Ivory Coast to France away from his parents at a young age to becoming one of the biggest names in football.
As a Chelsea supporter, this was a very enjoyable read, reliving some of the clubs highlights in recent history. Told by the man who probably had the biggest impact on them (scoring nine goals in nine cup finals for the club plus the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League win). Off the field, his charitable work and part in ending the civil war in Ivory Coast are both very admirable.
As a Chelsea supporter, this was a very enjoyable read, reliving some of the clubs highlights in recent history. Told by the man who probably had the biggest impact on them (scoring nine goals in nine cup finals for the club plus the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League win). Off the field, his charitable work and part in ending the civil war in Ivory Coast are both very admirable.
February 2, 2021
I love Drogba, along with JT, Cech and Frankie, when they formed magical Chelsea. I loved how he wroted about himself and their ups and downs.
Written in chronological order, I found it easy to remember him from time to time. In the era where #9 strikers are everywhere (Ibra, Berba, Toni, Crespo), Drogba were unique and willing to do the extra mile (eventhough sometimes clumsily).
He emphasized the importance of COMMITTED on any aspect - if you consider yourself professional.
Written in chronological order, I found it easy to remember him from time to time. In the era where #9 strikers are everywhere (Ibra, Berba, Toni, Crespo), Drogba were unique and willing to do the extra mile (eventhough sometimes clumsily).
He emphasized the importance of COMMITTED on any aspect - if you consider yourself professional.
September 11, 2023
The autobiography of Didier Drogba, Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend.
One of the most prolific goal scorers in the English Premier League and winner of almost all the trophies one can win at the club level.
For Ivory Coast, he is not only a football legend, but also an antiwar activist.
An excellent autobiography.
One of the most prolific goal scorers in the English Premier League and winner of almost all the trophies one can win at the club level.
For Ivory Coast, he is not only a football legend, but also an antiwar activist.
An excellent autobiography.
October 19, 2018
drogba's autobiography is lucid and heartfelt. he is one of the best strikers of chelsea, and in this book he writes about all about his career and background about each match. one of the best chapters is a night in munich, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
unputtable book , a must for chelsea fans!!!
unputtable book , a must for chelsea fans!!!
October 25, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as a Chelsea fan. I could feel the emotions as Drogba described the pain of losing the finals of the African Cup, the Champions League in 2008.
Small peak into his life on how he met his wife, raised his children, his charity work.
Small peak into his life on how he met his wife, raised his children, his charity work.
March 18, 2019
Read If You Love The Beautiful Game.
There's so much that goes on behind the scenes. When I saw this book, I asked myself, "What is there to know?" Little did I know there was a lot. Loved reading Drogba's autobiography. One Love from Zambia..🇿🇲
There's so much that goes on behind the scenes. When I saw this book, I asked myself, "What is there to know?" Little did I know there was a lot. Loved reading Drogba's autobiography. One Love from Zambia..🇿🇲
August 12, 2020
A remarkable man who had a remarkable career. His life after football is all about charity and giving back which I wasn’t aware of. A quick read which really provides an insight to the man and the player. Really enjoyed this autobiography.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2022
Interesting to get a reasonably detailed behind the scenes look at such a pivotal time in Chelseas history. Really was the man for the big occassion and I enjoyed reading about his perspective at how things played out.
November 6, 2025
Didier Drogba is a Chelsea Legend. He is a true embodiment of the word COMMITMENT. He is a man that is:
- Committed to his dream
-Committed to the teams he played for
-Committed to his family
-Committed to worthy causes.
What a man.
- Committed to his dream
-Committed to the teams he played for
-Committed to his family
-Committed to worthy causes.
What a man.
February 10, 2018
Must read if you are a Chelsea fan
Great insider view of some of Chelsea FC's biggest wins, and some painful losses. Glimpse of the man behind the footballer we know.
Great insider view of some of Chelsea FC's biggest wins, and some painful losses. Glimpse of the man behind the footballer we know.
March 23, 2019
I couldn't stop reading. while reading on the bus I even missed my stop a couple of times.
May 25, 2019
Very simple description and good to read
January 1, 2020
Really awful - nothing of real insight in this book. Just a chronological account of his career.
September 18, 2025
favourite ever player and seems like a brilliant man
December 7, 2025
I don't tend to read sports autobiographies, but I made an exception for Didier Yves Drogba Tébily (Didier Drogba). The Ivorian is one of my favourite athletes ever, and my appreciation for the big man has only grown since he left Chelsea FC in 2015. The team, nay the whole league, has missed his power, presence, and passion. He left a big hole in all our hearts.
Drogba's memoirs are a pleasant trip down glory lane for fans, but I don't think it's a must-read. It suffers from all the flaws of the genre, being largely a blow-by-blow account of the author's life without much of a thesis or narrative arc. It's also missing the salacious gossip and contentious perspectives on events and personalities that usually drive these kinds of books. That's not what I was looking for anyway, but it does mean the book is a bit dry.
What I am interested in are the resonant ideas and lessons that Drogba's life and story could signify, and there are a few contenders. Commitment begins with Drogba the five-year-old boy immigrating to France, where he struggled to fit in and excel. That experience profoundly shaped his life, and I can see now how that affected his career trajectory, his on-the-pitch antics, his dealings with managers and the press, and his enduring determination to not only win but share that moment with those around him. His constant desire for camaraderie and need for others' belief in him as a footballer and person, all stemmed from that initial sense of isolation he experienced as a child in a foreign culture. He consequently was forever trying to break through, find family, and be settled in time and place (a process that only really was completed following Chelsea's dramatic 2012 Champions League triumph). In an age of immigrant-phobia, I appreciated this lesson on how migrants are emotionally disadvantaged as much as physically and economically, and how that can affect their progress in life. Empathy and respect ought to be society's response to such a story.
Another reflection is on is the role of luck in an individual's accomplishments. According to the axiom, there are three factors in a person's success: talent (usually of the natural variety), hard work (discipline, determination, sacrifice and persistence), and luck (fair opportunity especially). Fulfill any two of these three factors and success is likely.* From a footballing layman's perspective it would seem like Drogba easily satisfied the first two of these requirements, being a supremely naturally gifted athlete with a unique set of attributes that were diligently honed for years before reaching the apex of the sport.
Drogba himself, however, discounts the first factor almost entirely, suggesting that luck was a primary influence in his life's achievements. From meeting the right people at the right moments, to not receiving an education in a football academy (which happened to stand him in good stead later), to avoiding career-condemning injuries, Drogba quite humbly confesses his good fortune in all things. He even credits his signature feats, the crucial goals in Cup finals and big games he so reliably scored, to chance, fate, and the hand of God Himself. In his own assessment, Drogba was a divine agent performing the will of the Almighty on the pitch, who at the player's beseeching prayers gifted Drogba decisive opening after decisive opening. Thus the praise Drogba received from myself and others is actually owed to God (the Christian God, to be specific).
I sense great wisdom in this attitude not only in protecting Drogba from pride and hubris, but also in correctly perceiving the truth of our reality. How much do any of our successes actually belong to us? Because according to Drogba, without God's interventions, he could easily have remained on the bench at Le Mans in Ligue 2 and never stepped foot in Stamford Bridge, let alone Wembley, Stade Vélodrome, or Allianz Arena. No amount of natural talent or effort could have accomplished what he did through God's providence.
That, at least, is the man's own testimony. But even if you dispute Drogba's theological claims, his assertion that luck was on his side still ought to make you reflect. Are we in control of our lives, or are there other forces at play? If so, what are the nature of those forces? Are they ordinary or are they superordinary? And if even the great ones who perform great deeds conclude the latter, then who are we, who merely perform the petite and thus lack insight of the grand, to question that?
As I say, this book is not a must-read, but nevertheless I thank Drogba for these thought provocations. They are the sweet cherries on top of the joyous gateau already received as a fan across the years. May God continue blessing you, great champion, in return.
* I don't actually subscribe to this theory. I am a determinist.
Drogba's memoirs are a pleasant trip down glory lane for fans, but I don't think it's a must-read. It suffers from all the flaws of the genre, being largely a blow-by-blow account of the author's life without much of a thesis or narrative arc. It's also missing the salacious gossip and contentious perspectives on events and personalities that usually drive these kinds of books. That's not what I was looking for anyway, but it does mean the book is a bit dry.
What I am interested in are the resonant ideas and lessons that Drogba's life and story could signify, and there are a few contenders. Commitment begins with Drogba the five-year-old boy immigrating to France, where he struggled to fit in and excel. That experience profoundly shaped his life, and I can see now how that affected his career trajectory, his on-the-pitch antics, his dealings with managers and the press, and his enduring determination to not only win but share that moment with those around him. His constant desire for camaraderie and need for others' belief in him as a footballer and person, all stemmed from that initial sense of isolation he experienced as a child in a foreign culture. He consequently was forever trying to break through, find family, and be settled in time and place (a process that only really was completed following Chelsea's dramatic 2012 Champions League triumph). In an age of immigrant-phobia, I appreciated this lesson on how migrants are emotionally disadvantaged as much as physically and economically, and how that can affect their progress in life. Empathy and respect ought to be society's response to such a story.
Another reflection is on is the role of luck in an individual's accomplishments. According to the axiom, there are three factors in a person's success: talent (usually of the natural variety), hard work (discipline, determination, sacrifice and persistence), and luck (fair opportunity especially). Fulfill any two of these three factors and success is likely.* From a footballing layman's perspective it would seem like Drogba easily satisfied the first two of these requirements, being a supremely naturally gifted athlete with a unique set of attributes that were diligently honed for years before reaching the apex of the sport.
Drogba himself, however, discounts the first factor almost entirely, suggesting that luck was a primary influence in his life's achievements. From meeting the right people at the right moments, to not receiving an education in a football academy (which happened to stand him in good stead later), to avoiding career-condemning injuries, Drogba quite humbly confesses his good fortune in all things. He even credits his signature feats, the crucial goals in Cup finals and big games he so reliably scored, to chance, fate, and the hand of God Himself. In his own assessment, Drogba was a divine agent performing the will of the Almighty on the pitch, who at the player's beseeching prayers gifted Drogba decisive opening after decisive opening. Thus the praise Drogba received from myself and others is actually owed to God (the Christian God, to be specific).
I sense great wisdom in this attitude not only in protecting Drogba from pride and hubris, but also in correctly perceiving the truth of our reality. How much do any of our successes actually belong to us? Because according to Drogba, without God's interventions, he could easily have remained on the bench at Le Mans in Ligue 2 and never stepped foot in Stamford Bridge, let alone Wembley, Stade Vélodrome, or Allianz Arena. No amount of natural talent or effort could have accomplished what he did through God's providence.
That, at least, is the man's own testimony. But even if you dispute Drogba's theological claims, his assertion that luck was on his side still ought to make you reflect. Are we in control of our lives, or are there other forces at play? If so, what are the nature of those forces? Are they ordinary or are they superordinary? And if even the great ones who perform great deeds conclude the latter, then who are we, who merely perform the petite and thus lack insight of the grand, to question that?
As I say, this book is not a must-read, but nevertheless I thank Drogba for these thought provocations. They are the sweet cherries on top of the joyous gateau already received as a fan across the years. May God continue blessing you, great champion, in return.
* I don't actually subscribe to this theory. I am a determinist.
January 7, 2020
This was a very easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this wonderfully talented footballer. I always find these kind of books interesting and love to learn about how such a wonderful talent became.
Drogbas story is one of struggle and disappointment until he got a break which is so often the case. The initial heartbreak as he grew up in the Ivory Coast makes you realise how amazing his parents were to want him to succeed despite having to push their own child away.
A fascinating tale of a hugely successful footballer who seems a genuinely nice, humble and credible human in a world of adversity.
Drogbas story is one of struggle and disappointment until he got a break which is so often the case. The initial heartbreak as he grew up in the Ivory Coast makes you realise how amazing his parents were to want him to succeed despite having to push their own child away.
A fascinating tale of a hugely successful footballer who seems a genuinely nice, humble and credible human in a world of adversity.
June 30, 2016
I think the thing that I'll take out of this book the most is the roundness of Didier Drogba as a character. As a supporter, we only truly see the side to a player, and so it's easy to sit there and argue that they're one-dimensional, and that's where you get this stereotype of footballers who are either too aggressive or cocky or some other synonym for 'bad person'. But I think what's so great about 'Commitment' - certainly in comparison to other autobiographies I've read - is it's distinct focus on Drogba-The-Man, opposed to Drogba-The-Player. Rather than just saying 'this match was good', 'this match was poor', it explores the emotions, the values and the people that Drogba holds closest. I always knew he was a great man, but reading his thoughts on the importance of trust, communication and respect really made me warm to him even more. As a result of this however, I feel as though if you're looking for footballing stories, this might not be for you - there are a few, but as a book that covers an entire career, it's difficult to fit in a thousand back-stage stories. Having said that, I really enjoyed the structure of the book and feel that it does a great job in getting to the point whilst also centering on that overall theme of exploring Didier Drogba, The Man. A very enjoyable read!
January 26, 2025
I’ve never been one much for biographies, but I loved reading the story of Didier Drogba’s career.
It was filled with stories of humility, lows, highs, and the emotionality tied with being a footballer at the top of the game. Often, we don’t get to hear much about the human side of footballers, preferring instead to look at their stats on the pitch.
But in this biography, I felt like I got an enlightening view into one footballer’s life, and how it connected his nation Ivory Coast with greater political matters. You get to see how his upbringing forced him to grow up, how being torn away from his family in Ivory coast so he could live with his uncle and aunty in France so that he could have better opportunities.
The story is filled with the details of the sacrifices that had to be made at a young age. What I found endaring about Drogba’s story is that he was never the most gifted footballer growing up. It was only until late in his career that he blossomed, and he was mostly changing clubs often before finding his feet at Marseille and then signing for Chelsea.
He spoke about how his emotions affected his career, the political crisis in Ivory Coast, and how some of the managers he played under never really supported him. He also mentioned how stretching for hours on end became critical to his career, so that he could perform better.
It was filled with stories of humility, lows, highs, and the emotionality tied with being a footballer at the top of the game. Often, we don’t get to hear much about the human side of footballers, preferring instead to look at their stats on the pitch.
But in this biography, I felt like I got an enlightening view into one footballer’s life, and how it connected his nation Ivory Coast with greater political matters. You get to see how his upbringing forced him to grow up, how being torn away from his family in Ivory coast so he could live with his uncle and aunty in France so that he could have better opportunities.
The story is filled with the details of the sacrifices that had to be made at a young age. What I found endaring about Drogba’s story is that he was never the most gifted footballer growing up. It was only until late in his career that he blossomed, and he was mostly changing clubs often before finding his feet at Marseille and then signing for Chelsea.
He spoke about how his emotions affected his career, the political crisis in Ivory Coast, and how some of the managers he played under never really supported him. He also mentioned how stretching for hours on end became critical to his career, so that he could perform better.
March 29, 2021
I’ve never been one much for biographies, but I loved reading the story of Didier Drogba’s career.
It was filled with stories of humility, lows, highs, and the emotionality tied with being a footballer at the top of the game. Often, we don’t get to hear much about the human side of footballers; we instead look at their stats on the pitch.
But in this biography, I felt like I got an enlightening view into one footballer’s life. You get to see how his upbringing forced him to grow up, how being torn away from his family in Ivory coast so he could live with his uncle and aunt in France so that he could have better opportunities.
The story is filled with the details of the sacrifices that had to be made at a young age. What I found endearing about Drogba’s story is that he was never the most gifted footballer growing up. It was only until late in his career that he blossomed, and he was mostly changing clubs often before finding his feet at Marseille and then signing for Chelsea.
He spoke about how his emotions affected his career, the political crisis in Ivory Coast, and how some of the managers he played under never really supported him. He also mentioned how stretching for hours on end became critical to his career, so that he could perform better.
It was filled with stories of humility, lows, highs, and the emotionality tied with being a footballer at the top of the game. Often, we don’t get to hear much about the human side of footballers; we instead look at their stats on the pitch.
But in this biography, I felt like I got an enlightening view into one footballer’s life. You get to see how his upbringing forced him to grow up, how being torn away from his family in Ivory coast so he could live with his uncle and aunt in France so that he could have better opportunities.
The story is filled with the details of the sacrifices that had to be made at a young age. What I found endearing about Drogba’s story is that he was never the most gifted footballer growing up. It was only until late in his career that he blossomed, and he was mostly changing clubs often before finding his feet at Marseille and then signing for Chelsea.
He spoke about how his emotions affected his career, the political crisis in Ivory Coast, and how some of the managers he played under never really supported him. He also mentioned how stretching for hours on end became critical to his career, so that he could perform better.
August 8, 2016
Une insignifiante autobiographie sur un homme dont la vie aurait pourtant dû paraître intéressante à l'écrit. Malheureusement, Drogba conserve son habituelle tendance à se vanter à travers une modestie un peu fausse tout au long de ce livre, ce qui est extrêmement fâcheux, puisqu'en lisant la vie d'un homme, on veut la comprendre ou tout au moins connaître les états d'âmes dudit homme et non se faire dire à répétition qu'il a été chanceux, comme s'il était gêné de recevoir un compliment. Drogba aurait également intérêt à se relire, puisqu'il dit une chose et son contraire à de nombreuses reprises.
Finalement, mais de manière importante, seuls deux courts chapitres sont réservés à la vie d'homme "engagé" de Didier Drogba et à travers ces chapitres, on apprend en fait qu'il n'est pas si engagé que ça (ou tout au moins qu'il est généreux, mais tout sauf politisé) et que le mélange de charisme et d'intelligence qu'il exulte lorsqu'on l'entend parler n'est ultimement que du charisme sans particulière intelligence.
Finalement, mais de manière importante, seuls deux courts chapitres sont réservés à la vie d'homme "engagé" de Didier Drogba et à travers ces chapitres, on apprend en fait qu'il n'est pas si engagé que ça (ou tout au moins qu'il est généreux, mais tout sauf politisé) et que le mélange de charisme et d'intelligence qu'il exulte lorsqu'on l'entend parler n'est ultimement que du charisme sans particulière intelligence.
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