Just four days after the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, the world of football is mourning another big loss.
Papa Bouba Diop, one of the heroes of Senegal’s 2002 World Cup team that reached the quarterfinals, passed away on Saturday after an illness aged only 42.
Diop scored Senegal’s only goal in their opening match upset of defending champions France and was a colossus in the Teranga Lions midfield as they went on to reach the farthest stage an African team has ever reached at the World Cup.
World football governing body FIFA led the tributes to the late star.
“FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop,” the body tweeted.
“Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero.
“Among Diop’s many accomplishments, he will always be remembered for scoring the opening goal of the 2002 World Cup. RIP, Papa Bouba Diop.”
The Confederation of African Football simply wrote: “Papa Bouba Diop: 1978 – 2020. Rest In Peace lion.”
Portsmouth, the English club where Diop found success, honoured him with a full statement on their official website.
The club wrote: “Portsmouth Football Club are deeply saddened to learn that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away at the age of just 42.
“The Senegal international joined the club from Fulham in the summer of 2007 and made 72 appearances for the Blues.
“His debut arrived in a goalless draw with Liverpool and the midfielder came off the bench at Wembley when Pompey beat Cardiff to lift the FA Cup at the end of his first season with the club.
“Diop also played the full 90 minutes of the dramatic 2-2 draw with Italian giants AC Milan at Fratton Park in the UEFA Cup.
“He then returned to the national stadium with the Blues, as they were narrowly beaten by Chelsea in the 2010 FA Cup final.
“Diop failed to find the target in his three years on the south coast, but netted the most famous goal in his country’s history.
“His strike saw World Cup holders France stunned by Senegal in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup.
“Nicknamed ‘The Wardrobe’, he also turned out for Lens, West Ham and Birmingham, as well as having spells in Switzerland and Greece.
“The thoughts of everyone at Portsmouth Football Club are with Papa’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
Another former club of Diop’s, West Ham, wrote on Twitter: “Everyone at West Ham United is saddened to learn of the passing of Papa Bouba Diop at just 42.
“A part of our 2011/12 promotion-winning squad, he’ll always be a part of our Club. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Rest in peace, Papa.”
Fulham, the third club Diop played for in
England, also expressed their condolences on Twitter.
“We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42,” the London club wrote. “Rest well, Wardrobe 🖤 .”
Nigerian football great Nwankwo Kanu, who won the FA Cup alongside Diop with Portsmouth in 2008, paid an emotional tribute to the Senegal legend.
“Sad sad sad R I P PAPA BOUBA DIOP MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,” Kanu wrote above a picture of himself and Diop with the FA Cup.
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