This can definitely be said of Ivorian soccer star, Didier Drogba. From humble beginnings to a superstar for English club Chelsea, Drogba has indeed been a source of inspiration for many young kids.
But there's so much more to the man than just scoring those winning goals and helping his team secure that all-important victory.
The Humanitarian
Drogba isn't shy to wear his heart on his sleeve. In 2009, he started The Didier Drogba Foundation, which was instrumental in the construction of a hospital in his hometown, Abidjan.
Funds for the construction came from his £3m fee from his Pepsi deal, and a further contribution from Chelsea. The foundation also helped build two orphanages and some of its future plans include building
schools in Ivory Coast.Yes, a lot of money will be needed, and that's why he hosts a charity ball to help raise funds. In March this year, his Chelsea teammates (including Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essein) supported him at the ball, where they raised £250 000.
The Music Video Star
Aside from being a philanthropist and an uber-amazing football player, Drogba has taken time out to play the love interest in a music video. Yes, Drogba is a music video, uhm star!
He can be seen in French singer Julia Channel's debut track, Forever In A Day.
The Peace-Maker
After years of unrest and instability, Drogba literally fell to his knees on national TV and begged the two factions causing the turmoil for peace.
This came after an Ivory Coast victory and a coveted spot into the 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Within a week of his request, Drogba managed to secure peace, something that negotiations and political interference couldn’t get right. His plea clearly had an impact on the faction leaders, as they were seen side by side a few weeks later, singing the national anthem as Ivory Coast played Madagascar.
The Soccer Legend
Yes fine, he is still young and still has a lot to achieve in his career, but few will doubt Drogba as a soccer legend. Since his debut at Stamford Bridge in 2004, Drogba has left his mark with the club.
He scored his first goal on debut for the team – they even won the league that year, for the first time in 50 years. Drogba scored the winning goal in the 2005 Carling Cup Final and in 2007 he once more kicked the winning goal to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup Final.
The winning goals also came from his golden boot to help secure victories in the 2009 FA Cup Final and the 2010 FA Cup Final.
Drogba recently transferred to the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, but not before ensuring a winning 2012 for Chelsea. He scored the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, and it was his late equalizer (and only goal for Chelsea) that forced the 2012 UEFA Final against Bayern Munich to a penalty shoot-out.
Of course he scored the winning penalty, and helped the Blues lift the trophy. Now all that's left is for us to see how Drogba will fare at his new club.
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