If soccer is a religion in England, then the Slug and Lettuce pub in Putney is its Vatican.

If soccer in England can be called a religion, then the Slug and Lettuce pub in Putney is its Vatican. The Coin & Banknote Bar is its church.

There, over warm beer and soggy fries, middle-aged men pontificate on everything from

There, over warm beer and soggy fries, middle-aged men are like the Pope Criticize Yue

The inherent sinfulness of the offside trap to the fallibility of Wayne Rooney's left foot. But

Wayne Rooney's unreliable left foot in position tactics. But

like church officials confronted with Galileo's telescope, football's high priests can't quite

Just like church officials confronted with Galileo's telescope, football's high priests can't quite understand Didi Drogba.

make sense of Didier Drogba. "He's a weapon, not a footballer," says one. "A specimen,"

"He's a weapon, not a footballer," One of them said. "A weirdo," said another.

says another. "The scariest footballer in the world."

"The scariest footballer in the world."

Drogba, 32, a striker for England's Chelsea Football Club and the captain of the C?te

Drogba, 32 years old, the forward of Chelsea Football Club in England and the captain of the Ivory Coast,

d'Ivoire team, has shown the world what's possible when power and grace fuse on the

It has shown the world what's possible when power and grace fuse on the green field.

soccer pitch. Imagine the body of an NBA star with feet as nimble as a prima ballerina's.

Imagine the body of an NBA star with feet as nimble as a prima ballerina's. Flexible feet.

When the World Cup kicks off in South Africa in June, he will carry the hopes of a

When the opening whistle of the World Cup resounds under the blue sky of South Africa, he will carry the hopes of a South Africa's best-known soccer player carries the dream of a continent as Africa's best-known soccer star. (West African fans will toast him with a beer

Use a glass called the Drogba. It's nearly twice the size of a normal mug.)

Drink happily. Twice the size)

No one knows the rickety and high-spirited but often heartbreaking touring bus that is

No one knows the nearly disbanded coach more than Didier Drogba. Morale is high

African soccer better than Drogba. At the 2006 World Cup, his homeland ravaged by civil

African soccer is of particular interest but always a heartbreaker for the tour bus. . At the time of the 2006 World Cup, his hometown

war, he organized a statement from the Elephants, as the Ivorian national team is referred

But struggling in the war, he used the elephant herd A metaphorical statement was issued, referring to the Ivory Coast national team, to call for peace.

To, calling for peace. Many credit the ensuing calm for allowing reconciliation to begin. At a

Many people firmly believe that only by remaining calm can reconciliation occur. Match last March, 22 Ivorians were killed in the crush to see their beloved heroes play.

A glimpse Their idolized hero was tragically killed in front of a packed crowd as he graced the pitch.

After the game, Drogba resolved to donate every dollar he earned from endorsements to a charity.

After the game, Drogba resolved to donate every dollar he earned from endorsements to a charity. ,

charity he set up to build new hospitals in the country.

He is ready to build a modern hospital for the country.

Drogba is conflicted about his stardom; the same love of No. 11 that brought Ivorians

People have mixed reviews about Drogba’s stardom; the same love of No. 11 that brought Ivorians , bringing C?te d'Ivoire together in 2006 also led to the fatal tumult last year. "I'd like the country to ultimately be

People are united by the same love It also led to last year's bloody conflict. "I would like to see the country be able to deal with political problems itself," he says in his soft, French-accented English.

Political disputes," he said in a soft, French-accented English.

"It's not really good to depend on the win or defeat of the national team. That means

"It's not really good to depend on the win or defeat of the national team. That also means something must be wrong. "

there is something wrong."

On the pitch, Drogba is known for the strength with which he holds off opposing

On the pitch, Drogba is known for the strength with which he holds off opposing

On the pitch, Drogba is known for the strength with which he holds off opposing. Bay became famous for his strength against opposing defenders; it's that awesome ability that scares and baffles the high priests at the Slug and

It's that awesome ability that scares and baffles the high priests at the Slug and

This made the senior priests of the coin & paper money tavern very frightened and confused.

Lettuce. But why should it surprise them? This sensitive young man already carries so

But why should it surprise them? Much of Africa's weight on his wide, sturdy shoulders.

Much of Africa's weight on his wide, sturdy shoulders.