DIDIER DROGBA stunned his Galatasaray team-mates by training ‘like a madman’ despite him coming towards the end of his career.
The Chelsea legend joined the Turkish giants from Shanghai Shenhua in 2013.
Didier Drogba inspired team-mates at Galatasaray with his dedication to trainingCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
But the Ivory Coast international was far from ‘winding down’ his career, so says Hellas Verona star Koray Gunter.
The 26-year-old joined Galatasaray a year after Drogba, then 35, had made the switch, and he was impressed by what he saw from the striker.
Speaking to Bild, Gunter said: “When I came to Galatasaray and entered the weight room for the first time, I widened my eyes.
“There was Drogba, who was in his late 30s and had a huge career behind him, training like a madman. He worked more than anyone else.
“I thought ‘that’s how it has to be’.
“After that we met in the weight room more often and sweated a lot together. That was a huge incentive.”
Drogba scored 15 goals in 37 games in all appearances in Turkey.
He ended up playing for an other FOUR years, taking in a second spell with Chelsea as well as turning out for Montreal Impact and Phoenix Rising.
Koray Gunter, left, remembers fondly his time training with Drogba at GalatasarayCredit: Reuters
Drogba is a true Chelsea hero after years of success in West LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
In 2018, Drogba retired from professional football at the age of 40.
Gunter was talking about how he resurrected his football career after a disappointing exit from Borussia Dortmund.
The defender was heralded for big things in the Bundesliga, but managed just TWO MINUTES of action under Jurgen Klopp before leaving for £2.2m to Turkey.
The Drogba name, however, is also set to continue in the sport.
Didier’s son Isaac has signed for Italian Serie D side Folgore Caratese.
A striker like his old man, the younger Drogba is looking to take his first steps into senior football.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk