Former Senegal international and also ex Fulham player was announced dead last Sunday after a while with persistent illness. Here we uncover all we knew about him and his health.
Born on 28th January, 1978, Papa Bouba Diop was a former Senegal midfielder who is well known for his lone strike against France in 2002 World Cup when the Lions of Terranga overcame reigning World Cup Champions 1:0 in Japan and South Korea where the tournament was held.
That was the first goal of the tournament which was eventually won by Brazil. On learning of the saddening news of the passing of Diop, FIFA the governing body of football in the world tweeted,
"FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal Legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a world cup hero, always a World Cup Hero" FIFA tweeted.
In the 2002 World Cup, Papa Bouba Diop also hit a brace as his side played to a 3:3 stalemate with Uruguay and finished as Senegal's tournament topscorer before also helping the country reach the quarter finals.
In the Premier League, Diop played 129 matches at clubs like Fulham, Portsmouth, Westham and Birmingham City.
Diop was also part of the Portsmouth FC squad that won the FA Cup in 2008. Portsmouth beat Cardiff City 1:0 scored by Nigeria star Nwankwo Kanu.
Before his retirement, Diop played four Africa Cup of Nations including in 2002 when Senegal finished second after losing 3:2 Cameroon in the post match penalties after a barren draw.
Diop started his football journey with Junior team Ndeffann Saltigue before playing for ASC Diaraf in the Senegal Premier League in 1996. He also had stints in Switzerland for clubs Veveu,Neuchatel Xamax and also in the country's top tier side Grasshoppers FC.
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