I want to play in the 2014 World Cup – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast v South Korea (Getty Images)

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Chelsea talisman and the Ivory Coast‘s charismatic international Didier Drogba is far from hanging up his boots, especially with the Elephants, even though local pundits believe his international career is waning.

The 33-year-old striker and all-time top scorer of the Ivorian national team told a local newspaper on Thursday that he would play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Brazil.

Although his return to the Elephants during their 1-0 win over Mali in a friendly played in Valence, France on February 9 was widely saluted back home, many analysts still feel the former Olympique Marseille phenomenon needs to be rapidly preparing his international retirement, to leave space for the younger generation.

“I’m not in the twilight of my career with Côte d’Ivoire. I intend to participate in the next two African Cup of Nations – 2012 and 2013. I’d also play my third World Cup in 2014 in Brazil,” Drogba was quoted as saying by L’Inter.

Following Ivory Coast’s uninspiring outing at the 2010 World Cup, Drogba momentarily pulled out of the set-up and spurned several call-ups from new indigenous coach François Zahoui, but he finally made a comeback to play in the friendly against Mali.

“I could not leave like that. The day I decide to retire internationally, I’ll take care to say goodbye to my fans. I’ll never leave the team on tiptoe. So for now, I’m here, whenever they call me, I will answer,” he said.

Drogba will be 36 in 2014, still considerably younger than Cameroon football legend Roger Milla when he participated in his last World Cup at the age of 42.

Drogba is still in the top 20 on the Castrol Rankings, though he is currently 20th, down from 15th a month ago.

For more Castrol rankings insights visit the Castrol Zone on Goal.com