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Papa Bouba Diop, the former Senegal midfielder who scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup against France, has died at age 42.
The governing body of world football posted a tribute to Diop on Twitter. “FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop,” said Sunday’s statement. “Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero.”
Diop began his European career in Switzerland, winning the title with Grasshoppers before moving to French club Lens in January 2002. His most famous moment came four months later in the opening match of the World Cup, when his goal earned Senegal a surprising victory over the defending champions. France in Seoul.
The midfielder scored twice more in Senegal’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals, before joining Fulham for £ 6 million in 2004. After three Premier League seasons at Craven Cottage, he moved to Portsmouth in August 2007 and then won the FA Cup that season and appearing at Wembley as a substitute in the final.
Diop, a tough central midfielder who earned the nickname “The Closet” during his Premier League career, could also play central defense. Diop also played for West Ham, Birmingham and AEK Athens and made 63 appearances for Senegal, scoring 11 goals. He retired in 2013 and was reportedly suffering from a long illness.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who played Diop’s Portsmouth for Cardiff in the 2008 FA Cup final, told Sky Sports: “He was a good player, and it’s a sad, sad moment. We all feel for his family and we are thinking of them at this difficult time. “
