Club Career
El-Hadary amassed silverware aplenty at club level—particularly during 12 years with Al-Ahly.
He also tested life in Europe during one season with Swiss side FC Sion, but he’s best known for his achievements in the African game, where he won the Caf Champions League four times and clinched nine separate African league titles as well as a host of other minor honours.
However, these feats pale in comparison to Drogba’s club career at the pinnacle of the European game, notably with Chelsea.
The towering frontman dragged the Blues—almost single-handedly—to the Champions League title in 2012, and also won four Premier Leagues with the Blues.
He scored in four FA Cup finals—an unparalleled achievement—and also won a Turkish title with Galatasaray after leaving Stamford Bridge.
Individual Accolades
El-Hadary is completely outclassed here, which isn’t completely surprising considering goalkeepers aren’t typically among the top contenders for the sport’s biggest individual prizes.
He made the Afcon Team of the Tournament on four occasions—no one has made the selection more often—and also made Caf’s Team of the Year once.
However, Drogba picked up the kinds of individual accolades that few players—African or otherwise—can ever hope to match during their careers.
He was twice African Footballer of the Year, won the BBC award once, and was also included in Team of the Years adjudicated by Uefa, FifPro and ESM, as well as the Onze d’Or.
On five occasions he made Caf’s Team of the Year, and made the Team of the Season for his domestic league on three occasions.
Most impressively, perhaps, while Drogba only won two Afcon POTY awards, he made the podium on a further seven occasions; no other player has ever made Africa’s annual top three on nine occasions.
Drogba also received votes in the Ballon d’Or in eight separate years; it’s a record that only Samuel Eto’o can match
Ability
Drogba also edges his rival here.He was a big game player, and he had the quality to settle the most high-profile contests on his own.
However, it’s worth noting that he wasn’t the relentless goalscorer that some remember him as, and only scored more than 12 goals in two of his nine seasons at Chelsea
Despite being a late bloomer, and his early penchant for diving, Drogba was an immense physical specimen, was an intelligent and diligent forward, and was an underrated free kick specialist.El-Hadary is renowned for his leadership skills, his consistency, and was a master in penalty shootout situations.
He was the Pharaohs’ hero as they advanced to the final of the 2017 Afcon, having saved two Ivory Coast penalties in Egypt’s 2006 Nations Cup success, although perhaps his longevity gives his career a glow that it wouldn’t have otherwise.
Overall Rating
Up against another one of Africa’s great goalkeepers, Drogba again advances here, registering a score of 82 to progress to the next round.
While El-Hadary achieved more at international level, winning three Afcon titles, he falls short in the other categories to ensure Drogba romps to victory with a 23-point margin.
One of the Alcon favourites ahead of the tournament, is the Chelsea great on course to go the distance?