Aspetar Magazine 2026

122 ASPETAR MAGAZINE FLASHBACK It takes world-class preparation to compete on football’s biggest stage. In the months leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital quietly became a crucial stop on the journey of one of Africa’s most celebrated national teams: the Ivory Coast. As the “Golden Generation” of Ivorian football prepared for the global tournament, Doha provided a sanctuary where elite athletes could recover, rebuild, and sharpen their physical readiness. Through a landmark collaboration with the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF), Aspetar’s medical expertise supported some of the continent’s biggest football stars as they prepared for the challenge ahead. For Aspetar, it was another moment that reinforced the hospital’s growing reputation as a trusted destination for the world’s elite athletes. The Elephants Arrive in Doha (2014) In early 2014, the Ivory Coast national team, known as Les Éléphants, partnered with Aspetar to ensure their squad entered the World Cup in peak condition. Several key members of the squad travelled to Doha for specialised medical assessments, rehabilitation and physical preparation ahead of the tournament. Among themwere two of the team’s greatest legends: Didier Drogba, the iconic captain and striker, and Yaya Touré, then the reigning African Player of the Year and a dominant force at Manchester City. Drogba visited Aspetar in April 2014 following an injury, undergoing medical evaluations and rehabilitation aimed at restoring his physical readiness before the tournament. Reflecting on the experience, he later explained how the intensive work at Aspetar helped him regain full fitness. Touré also spent nearly three weeks at Aspetar undergoing intensive physical preparation ahead of the World Cup. Impressed by the level of care, he openly praised the hospital’s capabilities, noting that even among Europe’s leading medical facilities, such comprehensive support was rare. When Ivory Coast’s Golden Generation Prepared for the World Cup in Doha Didier Drogba After three weeks of preparation, I felt really, really good. I had no more pain and felt ready to compete. Didier Drogba