Former Chelsea star, Didier Drogba, ex-Manchester City stars, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany, Manchester United legends, Paul Scholes and goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, and Arsenal’s legend, Ian Wright have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The six retired footballers joined the likes of Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira who were inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame earlier this year as the 2022 set of inductees.
So far, the hall of fame which honors retired footballers who contributed massively to the success of their clubs in the league during their era has honored 16 retired footballers.
The hall of fame focuses on honoring players who distinguished themselves in the league from 1992, the year the English league changed its name to the Premier League.
Players who are inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame are selected based on the outcome of a public online vote and the verdict of the Premier League Awards Panel.
Note that the Premier League Hall of Fame started in 2021 and the first set of Premier League legends that were inducted into the hall of fame were Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer.
Below are some of the reasons why the six latest Premier League Hall of Fame inductees got inducted:
- Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero made his name at Manchester City. He helped the club to win their first Premier League title in the 2011-2012 season. Most fans of the club remember Aguero for scoring the winner against QPR which helped the club to win the 2011-2012 Premier League title.
Before he left Manchester City in 2021, Sergio Aguero became the club’s all-time highest goalscorer and also became the foreign player with the highest number of goals in the league.
The 33-year-old Argentine striker scored 184 Premier League goals in 275 Premier League appearances within 10 years. He helped Manchester City to win five league titles.
Unfortunately for the Premier League legend, Aguero was forced to retire from professional football at FC Barcelona in 2021 due to a heat-related illness.
After becoming a Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, Aguero said: “Entering the Hall of Fame makes me happy for myself and my family. I just loved playing football here with Manchester City and the memories of winning the Premier League five times, including the most important goal of my career to win that first one.
“Since I was nine or 10 years old, I wanted to play in the Premier League. I think it is the best league in the world, where the football is fast and beautiful and the atmosphere is always incredible. I miss my teammates and the fans a lot still now.”
- Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes made his name in the Premier League at Manchester United starting in the early 90s. He remained at the club until 2013 before he bowed out in the same year the club’s legendary coach, Sir Alex Ferguson retires from coaching.
Before he retired after 20 years at United, Scholes won a whopping 11 Premier League titles. He scored 107 Premier League goals in 499 league games.
After becoming the league hall of fame inductee, Scholes said: “It’s a special feeling to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame along with so many fantastic players who have already been voted in and with the players who are being named today.
“I played for the best manager for 20 years at Manchester United; the biggest club in the world with the greatest fans. I feel lucky and privileged I was part of a team that won so many trophies and to have won the Premier League 11 times.”
- Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba made his name in the Premier League at Chelsea. He first joined the club in 2004 and left in 2012. He returned to the club in 2014 and left in 2015.
In the combined nine years he spent at Chelsea, the 44-year-old Ivory Coast forward scored 104 goals in 254 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. Drogba retired from professional football in 2018.
After becoming the league hall of fame inductee, Drogba said: “It is a real honor for me to have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. My years with Chelsea were so special to me, and I’m incredibly proud of everything we won as a team.
“I played with fantastic players for some amazing managers and against brilliant opponents. I’m so happy to say that I won the Premier League four times – and now I’m in the Hall of Fame with some of those great players I played alongside and against, which makes me very proud.”
A real honour to be inducted in to the @premierleague Hall of Fame. Thank you so much to everyone that voted and to @chelseafc, the managers, coaches, players and fans that made my time in the PL such an incredible experience. 💙 pic.twitter.com/5uj1D9pqg0
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 21, 2022
- Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany made his name in the Premier League while playing for Manchester City. He spent a whopping 11 seasons at Manchester City before he bowed out of the league.
He was part of the club’s team that won the club’s first Premier League title in 2012. Kompany played for Manchester City between 2008 and 2019 before he bowed out of the league.
Before then, he helped the club to win four Premier League titles. The Belgian defender played 265 Premier League games in which he scored 18 goals for City.
“I feel that I found a home at Manchester City and in the Premier League, so I am delighted to be joining the Hall of Fame,” Kompany said.
“I came to love the club and I think the biggest achievement of my career was to be part of such an incredible journey, where we progressed from a side without high expectations to become a dominant force and champions four times.”
- Ian Wright
Ian Wright made his name in the Premier League at Arsenal before continuing with his legacy at West Ham United.
He made 213 Premier League appearances for both Arsenal and West Ham United and scored a total number of 113 Premier League goals before he bowed out.
He was among the team that helped Arsenal to win their first Premier League title in the 1997-1998 Premier League season. Ian Wright was Arsenal’s all-time highest goalscorer, a record which was broken by Thierry Henry.
“It’s a real privilege to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Wright said. “You have to remember that for the majority of my football journey I never thought I’d become a professional footballer. So to do that, enjoy the times I had with the fans and my teammates, and now to receive this accolade, is a true honor. I feel really humbled.
“Growing up in south London, football was my escape. We played for pure enjoyment and that’s something that never left me when I played the game. I always felt like I was running out of time and this recognition is a special reminder to appreciate the journey, the hard work, and getting over the doubts I had.
“I also have to thank so many incredible team-mates, backroom staff, and managers, most notably Steve Coppell who gave me the chance and shaped the player I became.”
🥁 Our latest @PremierLeague Hall of Fame inductee…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 21, 2022
😍 Of course it's @IanWright0!
- Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel is the first goalkeeper to be inducted into the Premier League hall of fame. He made his name at Manchester United as a goalkeeper.
In the seven seasons Peter Schmeichel played for Manchester United, he kept 128 clean sheets in 310 Premier League appearances. He is the only goalkeeper to win the Premier League player of the year. He won the feat during the 1995-1996 Premier League campaign.
The 58-year-old Danish goalkeeper who also had spells at Manchester City and Aston Villa, helped Manchester United to win six Premier League titles.
“I am very honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Schmeichel. “I understood straight away that your career is only for a very short period. You have to make the best of that opportunity and make sure you’re someone who is remembered because you did something.
“When I was a kid in Denmark I used to fall asleep to this dream of playing for Manchester United. The team I was part of was so good that winning the Premier League once was special, but we felt we had to retain it to prove ourselves, and it was a dream come true for me to win five titles.”
I’m very honoured to be inducted into the @premierleague Hall of Fame alongside so many incredible players. Thank you to everyone who voted for me 💫 pic.twitter.com/jxljR88J05
— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) April 21, 2022
Below are 16 players that have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame:
- Alan Shearer
- Thierry Henry
- David Beckham
- Dennis Bergkamp
- Eric Cantona
- Steven Gerrard
- Roy Keane
- Frank Lampard
- Wayne Rooney
- Patrick Vieira
- Ian Wright
- Peter Schmeichel
- Paul Scholes
- Didier Drogba
- Vincent Kompany
- Sergio Aguero
