Self-confessed Arsenal fan and New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has revealed that Chelsea icon Didier Drogba traumatised him during his younger days.
Mamdani, 34, recently participated in an African edition of ‘Winner Stays On’ challenge as he was quizzed about his player preferences. He began by giving AFCON 2025 winner Sadio Mane the nod over Victor Osimhen. He also picked the Senegalese man over Brahim Daiz.
However, Mamdani flipped his pick when Drogba was mentioned, with the mayor acknowledging that the former Chelsea striker left him scared as a young Arsenal fan.
“As an Arsenal fan, I was traumatised by Didier Drogba,” he said.
He went on to pick Drogba over former Chelsea stars Samuel Eto’o and Michael Essien, but the former Ivorian striker lost out when Mohamed Salah was mentioned, with Mamdani joking that the Liverpool talisman is the only one with a halal truck named after him.
Drogba had a phenomenal record against Arsenal, finding the net 13 times in 15 matches with Chelsea and losing only once, winning 10 of those games. His habit of coming up clutch in crucial moments made him a nightmare for Arsenal supporters. Drogba scored against the Gunners not only in league meetings but also in key cup ties, most notably the 2007 League Cup final and the 2009 FA Cup semi-final.
His first strike as a Blues player against Arsenal came in a league clash in the 2005/06 campaign, with the striker scoring the only goal of the game. His last came in a league meeting in the 2010/11 campaign, with the Blues edging it with a 2-0 win.
“For some reason it didn’t happen” – When Drogba revealed he could have joined Arsenal before Chelsea move
Back in 2010, Drogba revealed he could have joined Arsenal before making the move to Stamford Bridge, saying former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger showed interest in him.
“I don't know if Arsene Wenger regrets it - you will have to ask him,” said Drogba via Sky Sports. “But remember he did have Thierry Henry! "Arsenal was a team with a lot of French players and players from the French League. "Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires... the French used to joke Arsenal were the 21st team in Ligue 1. And then I heard Arsene Wenger was interested in me.
“But for some reason it didn't happen and I didn't sign for Arsenal, I don't think it was my destiny. I honestly believe if things don't happen, it is for a reason.”
Earlier, Drogba confessed he was a huge supporter of the north London side when he was a boy due to the club’s strong French connections.