Former Chelsea stars Didier Drogba and John Terry have joined other club legends in reacting to a birthday tribute from ex-director Marina Granovskaia to former owner Roman Abramovich, who turned 60 on Saturday.

According to The Athletic on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Granovskaia celebrated Abramovich’s milestone birthday by sharing a personal message on Saturday, October 24, recalling their long association and the unforgettable moments they experienced together at Chelsea.

Granovskaia worked alongside Abramovich for many years and played a significant role in overseeing the club’s affairs during his ownership. In her birthday message, she reflected on their relationship, which has lasted for nearly 30 years.

She wrote: “Wishing Roman a very happy birthday! A special milestone this year, although I’d rather not mention the number — it would only remind me that we’ve known each other for almost 30 years, which hardly seems possible.

“So many extraordinary memories along the way. Wishing him lots of happiness and many more wonderful moments to come!”

Her message attracted reactions from several former Chelsea players. Drogba shared the tribute, while Terry, David Luiz and Victor Moses left blue heart emojis, demonstrating their support for both Abramovich and Granovskaia.

Granovskaia was one of the most influential figures behind the scenes during Abramovich’s time at Chelsea. She began handling transfer negotiations and contract matters on behalf of the Russian businessman in 2010, joined the club’s board in 2013 and was promoted to chief executive the following year.

Her involvement coincided with a remarkable period of success for Chelsea, with the club winning major domestic and continental competitions during Abramovich’s leadership.

Abramovich’s ownership eventually ended in 2022, when the UK government sanctioned him following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chelsea subsequently changed hands, with a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital taking control of the club.

Throughout his 19 years as owner, Abramovich oversaw Chelsea’s triumphs in five Premier League campaigns and two UEFA Champions League finals, establishing a legacy that remains an important part of the club’s identity.

The tribute was shared during a disappointing weekend for Chelsea, who suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

While Granovskaia’s message was simply a personal birthday greeting rather than an indication of any change involving Chelsea’s current leadership, the responses from Drogba, Terry and their former teammates showed that the relationships developed during Abramovich’s time at the club continue to hold significance.