Drogba reveals French temptation

(GSM) – Cote d’Ivoire striker Didier Drogba has revealed that he would have played for France if he had been called up.

The 32-year-old Chelsea frontman had caught the eye of former Les Bleus boss Jacques Santini nearly a decade ago after emerging in the French domestic leagues.

Drogba would have keenly opted for a career with the French national side because of the unstable Cote d’Ivoire government at the time.

It was 10 years ago that General Robert Guei briefly imprisoned the team because of a poor showing in the 2000 African Cup of Nations.

However, Drogba opted to play for his native country and insists he is happy with his decision.

“I do not have any regrets,” Drogba told the News of the World. “I’m sure that if I had been called up as a youngster then I would have opted for French nationality.

“I don’t think that would have bothered me, especially because at that time there was no real reason to want to play for the Ivory Coast because it was such a huge mess.

“That was when the players were locked up after bad results, as after the African Nations Cup in 2000 they were imprisoned by General Guei as punishment.

“The call-up brought me closer to my origins, my roots and my people. Like all those who have a double culture, I was looking for myself a bit.

“Accepting that invitation to play for my country helped me find out who I really was.”