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#2 Didier Drogba - Phoenix Rising
In football, player-manager is a term known to many. This role is still performed by players in lower leagues across the world. However, Didier Drogba probably is the first to become a player-owner when he signed for Phoenix Rising this year.
One of the greatest Chelsea and African player of all time, Drogba explained his decision to become a player owner as “To own a team and be a player at the same time is unusual but it’s going to be very exciting. It’s a good transition because I want to carry on playing but I’m almost 40 and it’s important for me to prepare for my later career.”
The team plays in the United Soccer League, the country's second division. Drogba along with Phoenix’s MLS expansion franchise ownership group is aiming at getting the team into the top division in one of the upcoming expansion plans.
Thus, Drogba not only co-owns a football club but also made history by becoming arguably the first-ever player owner in football history.
