Pushed Out Without a Word of Thanks, Drogba Settles Scores With UEFA and the Ballon d'Or

Didier Drogba has not come to terms with the way he was removed from presenting the Ballon d’Or. The former Chelsea and Marseille striker, who hosted the ceremony alongside Sandy Heribert since 2019, learned of his dismissal without any explanation or word of thanks — an attitude he considers unworthy of the event.

It is Pascal Ferré, director of France Football until 2022 and jury member for seven years, who lifts the veil on the behind-the-scenes details of this decision in his book La face cachée du Ballon d’Or (Albin Michel). According to him, Drogba’s contract “was not renewed,” a choice “visibly driven by UEFA,” which became co-organizer of the trophy. The duo Thierry Henry – Kate Scott will now host the ceremony, whose next edition will be held for the first time at London Palladium, next Monday, in tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first winner in 1956.

In the same book, Drogba speaks without restraint. “I will always be grateful to those who came to find me to give me this incredible, unforgettable human experience. I took enormous pleasure in it and became even more attached to this trophy. And I perfectly understand that some wanted to move on to something else, to a different presentation,” concedes the 48-year-old Ivorian.

But the manner of it all still sticks in his throat. “That no one took the trouble, or had the courage, to warn me that this was ending, and even less to send me even the smallest thank you for what I was able to do all these years, leaves me with a bitter taste,” he laments. “For a ceremony based on elegance and respect for those involved, I find it sorely lacking. In fact, I don’t find this attitude very Ballon d’Or.”

Drogba had taken over from David Ginola as presenter in 2019 and officiated at five consecutive ceremonies, including the 2024 one which crowned Spaniard Rodri. His removal, handled in silence by UEFA and the leadership of France Football, illustrates the tensions accompanying the trophy’s new governance since the European body entered as co-organizer.