Former Premier League star and Senegalese footballer Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42.
Former Premier League star and Senegalese footballer Papa Bouba Diop has died at the age of 42.
- Papa Bouba Diop was diagnosed with Charcot-Mary-Tooth disease.
- The Confederation of Senegal Football confirmed Papa Diop’s death on Sunday.
- Fulham and Portsmouth paid tribute to the player nicknamed “The Wardrobe” on Twitter.
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The titleholders pay tribute to the Senegalese footballer who scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup against France.
The Former midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who represented Senegal more than 60 times and played for several European football clubs, has died at the age of 42 after a long illness.
Papa Bouba Diop scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, shocking champions France 1-0 in the opening match of Senegal.
The Confederation of Senegal Football confirmed Papa Diop’s death on Sunday.
Former French club Lens said they had learned the news “with great sadness” and offered condolences to his family, while West London side Fulham, another former club, said it was “devastated” to hear of his death.
FIFA, the governing body of the World football, said on its World Cup Twitter account that it was “saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop”.
At the 2002 World Cup, Papa Diop scored two goals in the group stage with Uruguay 3-3 in Senegal, scoring the most points in the tournament as they advanced to the quarterfinals.
In all, the versatile defensive midfielder scored 11 goals and made 63 appearances for his country.
Before joining the French team in 2002, Papa Bouba Diop began his club career with Wavy, Newcastle Jamax and Locusts in Switzerland as ASC Diarf on the Senegalese side.
A move to Fulham continued as he spent three years at the club before being transferred to Portsmouth, where he was part of the team that won the 2007-08 FA Cup.
He also had short breaks at West Ham United and Birmingham City before retiring from playing seven years ago.
According to a British media report, Papa Bouba Diop was diagnosed with Charcot-Mary-Tooth disease. Fulham and Portsmouth paid tribute to the player nicknamed “The Wardrobe” on Twitter.
