Senegal World Cup Hero, Papa Bouba Diop, Dies At 42

Papa Bouba Diop, the former Senegal midfielder who scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup in a 1-0 win over holders France, has died at the age of 42.

World football’s governing body posted a tribute to Diop on Twitter. “Fifa is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop,” Sunday’s statement read. “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 the French club Lens in January 2002.

His most famous moment came at the World Cup’s opening match, when he scored the winner in the shock victory over France.

The midfielder scored twice more in Senegal’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals, before joining Fulham for £6m in 2004.

A tough central midfielder who earned the nickname “The Wardrobe” he earned 63 Senegal caps, scoring 11 goals. He retired in 2013 and had reportedly been suffering from a long illness.

Liverpool and Senegal forward Sadio Mané posted a tribute to Diop on Instagram. “Pape Bouba, it was with a broken heart that we learned of your passing,” Mané wrote underneath a picture of Diop celebrating his goal in 2002. “Know that you will remain in our hearts forever even if you left without saying goodbye to us. RIP.”