Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba has been picked as the recipient of the 2020 UEFA President’s Award by Aleksander Čeferin, with the UEFA President selecting the Ivorian for his “commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch”.

The President's Award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities, and Čeferin is full of admiration for Drogba's desire to help improve the lives of children in developing countries following his retirement.

READ ALSO: Video: Chelsea come from three goals down to draw at West Brom

Drogba, who will collect the UEFA President’s Award in Geneva during Thursday’s UEFA Champions League draw, began his career in France where he played for Le Mans, Guingamp and Marseille.

However, it was following his move to Chelsea that he started to establish himself as one of the greatest forwards of the 21st century.

At Stamford Bridge, Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 appearances in all competitions. Arguably his most important strike was his equaliser in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern. For good measure, he slotted the winner in the ensuing penalty shoot-out as Chelsea won the competition for the first time.

-UEFA