For so long, Ivory Coast's golden generation was one which perennially flattered to deceive.
Yet, after so many near misses at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Elephants finally got their tusks into the trophy, winning it for just the second time in a dramatic penalty shootout against Ghana last night.
However, one man was left watching it from his living room. Didier Drogba, the symbol and runaway record goalscorer of one of Africa's greatest national sides, had been involved in many of the near misses at continental level.
Unfortunately for him, the Chelsea legend retired after the World Cup which meant he would never get the chance to lift the Nations Cup for his country, after giving so much on and off the pitch over the past decade.
He is not the only major player to have retired - or been dropped by his country - just before great things were achieved.
Paolo Maldini
It's often said that there are few great defenders anymore. Back in Paolo Maldini's day we were spoilt for choice. However, the fact that the Milan legend stands out, amid the great centre-backs and full-backs of the '80s, '90s and early 2000s, says a lot.
However, the sad thing is he never tasted glory with Italy. A winner of 126 caps, he witnessed his country lose to Brazil on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final, before falling to defeat to a dramatic David Trezeguet golden goal in the Euro 2000 decider against France.
The 46-year-old left the international scene after the 2002 World Cup, yet continued to play regularly for Milan until 2009, lifting the Champions League trophy in 2007.
However, his retirement from Italy duty, meant he missed out on 2006 when Italy ended a 24 year wait for World Cup glory.
At least he has five European Cups and seven Serie A titles to console himself with.
Raul
A winner of multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with Real Madrid, Raul was Spain's talisman for so long during an era when they always famously under-achieved.
But his vertical style of play did not suit late Spain manager Luis Aragones and the New York Cosmos player was left out in the cold, winning his final cap for La Roja in 2006.
Coincidentally, a Barcelona-influenced Spain went on to win every major tournament from that point up to 2012, with a World Cup sandwiched in between. Meanwhile, Raul saw his Spanish goalscoring record of 44 obliterated by his successor David Villa, who netted 59 times.
Michael Laudrup against Ireland in 1985 ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Michael Laudrup
He was Denmark's greatest player and an all-time great of the game. Yet the one occasion when his country won a major tournament, the former Swansea manager was not to be involved.
During the qualifying campaign for Euro 92, Laudrup fell out with Denmark's then-manager Richard Møller Nielsen. When the Danes were given a place at the final tournament, instead of a Yugoslavia side which had to pull out, the ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid star did not expect to see his team-mates going all the way so decided to stay on holidays.
However, Denmark went on to shock favourites Germany in the final without Laudrup, who returned to the team in 1993.
According to Jan Kjeldtoft of Ekstra Bladet, who spoke to Off The Ball about it last year, Denmark probably wouldn't have won the Euros with Laudrup in the team.
For many, there is nothing better than achieving something with your country. But the good thing is that all three players and Drogba are remembered for what they managed to do at club level, with the quarter each winning at least one European Cup and a host of domestic trophies.
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