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“The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war like this. Please, lay down all weapons. Hold elections. All will be better.”

Source: Televised appeal from the dressing room after World Cup qualification, 8 October 2005 (English as reported by CNN)

Context Filmed in the dressing room after Côte d'Ivoire qualified for its first World Cup, with the country split by civil war; the players knelt as he spoke.

Portrait of Didier Drogba
Didier DrogbaCôte d'Ivoire · b. 1978
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More words from Didier Drogba

“Ivorians, from the south, the north, the east and the west, we have proved to you today that all of Côte d'Ivoire can live side by side and play together for one goal: the World Cup.”
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“Seeing both leaders side by side for the national anthems was very special. I felt then that the Ivory Coast was born again.”
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“I came to offer you a Ballon d'Or: it is the Ballon d'Or of all Côte d'Ivoire.”
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“I have benefited first-hand from the power of sports to lead a healthy life and I am committed to working with WHO to share such gains worldwide.”
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