Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba has become the first-ever African recipient of the UEFA President's Award.
On Tuesday, European football's governing body announced that Drogba had been selected by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to be the recipient of the 2020 award, which recognises "outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities".
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"Didier is a hero to millions of football fans for his achievements throughout his glittering playing career," Ceferein said, per UEFA.com.
"He is a leader – a pioneer. I will remember him as a player for his skill, strength and intelligence, but above all, for his insatiable appetite to succeed – a trait which is just as present in his desire to help others off the field of play.
"The UEFA Champions League has become the greatest club competition in the world, partly due to our clubs being able to attract the best players from around the world.
"We have been lucky to have seen the likes of George Weah, Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba play at the very highest level. They, in turn, have blazed a trail for African footballers and have given inspiration to a whole new generation to look to follow in their footsteps."
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Drogba, who is the highest-scoring African player in UEFA Champions League history with 44 goals across his spells with the Blues, Olympique Marseille and Galatasary, will collect his award at the UCL draw in Geneva on Thursday.