Didier Drogba to headline FootballForFires charity match, alongside three ex-Chelsea players

The one and only Didier Drogba, Chelsea Legend, world football Legend, Ivorian Football Federation presidential candidate, will return to the pitch later this year to help raise money for Australian bushfire relief.

Drogba will headline the “blockbuster” match that will be held at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on May 23, and will be joined by several other football greats, including Dwight Yorke, Claudio Marchisio, David Trezeguet ... and also Emile Heskey.

Drogba won’t be the only former Blues player taking part either. One-time Chelsea backup goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and utility-man Geremi — where have all the good utility players gone in this age of specialization? — will join, as will former Chelsea striker and current loanee coach Tore Andre Flo.

Organizers are expecting around 40,000 to attend, with all proceeds from ticket sales and merchandising set to go “toward the restoration and improvement of local football clubs and facilities in fire-affected areas” in Australia. The fires have burned nearly 50 million acres of land, claiming the lives of 34 people, and over an estimated 500 million animals.