Drogba takes French acclaim
Monday, May 3, 2004
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Olympique de Marseille striker Didier Drogba has been voted Footballer of the Year in France.
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Team-mates praised
The 26-year-old Ivory Coast forward was honoured at a ceremony held last night at Disneyland Paris although he was not able to pick up the award because he is preparing for this week's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United FC. Via a video message, Drogba said: "I want to thank all the coaches who have helped me in the past to finally play for a big club. I'm also grateful to my team-mates as this would not be possible without them."
Giuly second
Drogba has been a revelation since arriving at Marseille from EA Guingamp. He has scored 18 goals in 33 Ligue 1 matches, while also finding the net five times in the UEFA Champions League. AS Monaco FC captain Ludovic Giuly was second in the poll ahead of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard's Benoît Pedretti and FC Nantes Atlantique's Mario Yepes.
Deschamps honoured
The best coach award went to Monaco's Didier Deschamps after a terrific season that has seen him take his side into contention for the Ligue 1 title and the Champions League. The award for best goalkeeper went to Olympique Lyonnais' French international Grégory Coupet.
