The 32-year-old was nearly called up by former France boss Jacques Santini nearly a decade ago.
“I do not have any regrets,” Drogba told the News of the World. “I’m sure that if I had been called up as a youngster then I would have opted for French nationality.
“I don’t think that would have bothered me, especially because at that time there was no real reason to want to play for the Ivory Coast because it was such a huge mess.
“That was when the players were locked up after bad results, as after the African Nations Cup in 2000 they were imprisoned by General Guei as punishment.
“The call-up brought me closer to my origins, my roots and my people. Like all those who have a double culture, I was looking for myself a bit.
“Accepting that invitation to play for my country helped me find out who I really was.”
