Papa Diop, Senegal football icon, dies at 42
Papa Bouba Diop, former Senegal midfielder and World Cup hero, has passed away after battling a long term illness.
The former Fulham, Portsmouth, West Ham and Birmingham star, who scored the only goal to defeat France in Senegal’s first World Cup match in 2002, died at the age of 42.
FIFA, the world football governing body, broke the news of Diop’s passing on its Twitter page on Sunday.
“FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero,” it wrote.
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“Among Diop’s many accomplishments, he will always be remembered for scoring the opening goal of the 2002 World Cup. RIP, Papa Bouba Diop.”
FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop.
Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero. pic.twitter.com/akUJoPxCal
Advertisement— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 29, 2020
Diop represented his country in 63 games and scored 11 goals in a seven-year international career.
He also played 147 matches in the English Premier League (EPL) over an eight-year period. Diop was popular among football fans who nicknamed him ‘Wardrobe’.
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Tributes have begun to flood in for the late football star as words of his death spread.
“We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. Rest well, Wardrobe,” Fulham wrote.
We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42.
Rest well, Wardrobe 🖤 pic.twitter.com/rvU53Vqkmn
Advertisement— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 29, 2020
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“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,” West Ham wrote.
Everyone at West Ham United is saddened to learn of the passing of Papa Bouba Diop at just 42.
AdvertisementA 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 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2S1mwMR17c
Advertisement— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 29, 2020
On its part, Portsmouth wrote: “We’re devastated to hear reports that FA Cup winner Papa Bouba Diop has passed away after a long illness, aged just 42 Rest in peace, The Wardrobe.”
💙 We’re devastated to hear reports that FA Cup winner Papa Bouba Diop has passed away after a long illness, aged just 42
Rest in peace, The Wardrobe 🇸🇳 #Pompey pic.twitter.com/YC8sjhRugK
— Portsmouth F(C) 🏆 (@Pompey) November 29, 2020
See more tributes below:
https://twitter.com/PremLeaguePanel/status/1333102190089613313
Papa Bouba Diop has passed away after a long illness aged just 42.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/MGYgPRPUh0
— SPORF (@Sporf) November 29, 2020
The Premier League is saddened to hear of the passing of former Fulham and Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time: https://t.co/h2zSX7K1hd pic.twitter.com/gyKKZiW335
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 29, 2020
Former footballer Papa Bouba Diop has tragically passed away aged 42 after battling illness, according to various sources in Senegal.
Awful news, RIP Papa 🌹 pic.twitter.com/p31h398k6w
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 29, 2020
How terribly sad. Taken so young. RIP Papa Bouba Diop. https://t.co/5QgGgedMSM
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 29, 2020
Papa Bouba Diop has sadly passed away at the age of 42 after a long illness. RIP. 💔 pic.twitter.com/PswXiznTjS
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 29, 2020
Awful news.
Papa Bouba Diop has passed away following a long illness.
RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/U82FMfb7ZM
— GOAL (@goal) November 29, 2020
Former Premier League and Senegal star Papa Bouba Diop has died aged 42. RIP. pic.twitter.com/8z3ogGbXUw
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2020
Papa Bouba Diop who scored the 1st goal of Korea-Japan 2002 as Senegal stunned defending champions France dies aged 38.
2020 strikes again! RIP Lion 💔 pic.twitter.com/pZlgNnNHHY
— E (@iamOkon) November 29, 2020
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