Didier Drogba, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Basile Boli, rapper Jul, Tony Parker or even Teddy Riner: the “legends match”, organized Wednesday evening at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, did not lie about its casting. Le gratin du gratin gathered in Marseille to raise funds for the benefit of Unicef and the Didier Drogba Foundation with a view to setting up educational projects in Côte d’Ivoire.
In total, this event raised 437,250 euros, largely thanks to ticketing.
The OM Legends team, coached by Jean-Pierre Papin and led by Drogba, the former idol of the Vélodrome, but also Nasri, Pirès, Desailly and Basile Boli, won 7-4 against the Unicef team of Arsène Wenger.
The former Arsenal manager was able to count on some former players still in shape, such as Esteban Cambiasso or Gaizka Mendieta, but the will of Drogba, author of a hat-trick in front of his former audience, made the difference.
The 30,000 spectators present were able to see that the Marseille rapper Jul, author of a dribble behind the supporting leg “à la Drogba” in front of Eric Abidal, was not clumsy with the ball in his foot.
He even almost scored a volley goal on a cross from Djibril Cissé.
Among the gifted personalities for football, we will also note the performance of F1 driver Pierre Gasly, or the center of Teddy Riner, a threat in the penalty area as on the tatami.
We will also note, less surprising but just as spectacular, the superb goal of former Olympian Benoît Cheyrou. A small bridge then a dive of 25 meters on the former German international Jens Lehman (51 years old), unstoppable.
“It is not easy to bring together so many personalities, to have such diversity for such a great cause. It is close to my heart because education is important, in Africa as elsewhere. It’s a prerequisite for development, ”explained Drogba after the match.
