Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has announced that he will be retiring from international soccer games.

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In an announcement on his website, Drogba told his fans that “It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football. These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call up to my last match I have always tried to give my best for my country.”

Drogba played in three World Cups for the Ivory Coast and scored 65 career goals in 104 appearances in his 12-year career with the national team, according to BBC.

Drogba was the captain of Ivory Coast for eight years, including all three of his World Cups. He scored in the Ivory Coast’s first ever World Cup game in 2006 and once more in 2010, but did not score in his third go around, according to goal.com.

Drogba just recently returned to Chelsea of the English Premier League after playing elsewhere for two year, as we previously reported.

Image courtesy of INFphoto.com