Darts sensation Luke Littler explains Didier Drogba celebration – with Chelsea legend & FIFA gaming franchise inspiring 17-year-old at World Championship

Littler, who burst onto the sporting scene 12 months ago at the World Darts Championship, is back in the hunt for a global crown at Alexandra Palace – making his way to the semi-finals. During his last-eight showdown with Nathan Aspinall, the 17-year-old broke out a legendary Premier League goal celebration.

Ivorian striker Drogba, who took in two memorable spells at Stamford Bridge, became a hero to Chelsea supporters when playing his part in Premier League and Champions League title triumphs. He became famed for his iconic outstretched arms celebration.

Littler has taken to mimicking the former Blues striker, telling reporters of why he looked to the fearsome frontman for inspiration – with a popular gaming franchise also nudging him in that direction: “My mate’s been pestering me for months and months to do it and he was in the crowd. When I was walking off he’d done a celebration and I looked at him and I’d done it. Yeah, it was from FIFA.”

Littler is a big Manchester United supporter and will be hoping to have plenty to celebrate at the start of 2025 as he takes aim at a world crown and prepares to watch the Red Devils face old adversaries Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.