Papa Bouba Diop (1978 - 29 November 2020)
a 6 foot 5" defensive midfielder from Dakar, Diop had been ill for a long time
with a neuro degenerative disease.
after spells in Suisse and Diop joined Lens in January 2002.
then came three successful years at Fulham from 2004 in the Premier League.
before Diop switched to Portsmouth where he came on as sub in their FA Cup Final win
over a Cardiff side whose player Peter Whittingham also died this year.
Diop saw out his career at AEK Athens, West Ham and Birmingham retiring in 2013.
it was at the 2002 World Cup where Diop and tournament debutants Senegal really
made their names.
in the opening game of the World Cup Diop scored the only goal in victory over
World Champs and tournament favourites France.
Diop later scored a brace in a crazy 3-3 draw against Uruguay.
classic match.
Senegal beat Sweden in the last 16 before losing to Turkey (golden goal in 97th min)
in the quarters.
Diop won 63 caps scoring 11 goals.
the French coach of Senegal in 2002 Bruno Metsu (1954-2013) was another national
hero in his adopted nation who was also taken too soon.
Papa Bouba Diop, former Fulham, Portsmouth, and Senegal midfielder, dies aged 42
Ex-Fulham, Portsmouth and Senegal midfielder Diop dies aged 42 | Goal.com
a 6 foot 5" defensive midfielder from Dakar, Diop had been ill for a long time
with a neuro degenerative disease.
after spells in Suisse and Diop joined Lens in January 2002.
then came three successful years at Fulham from 2004 in the Premier League.
before Diop switched to Portsmouth where he came on as sub in their FA Cup Final win
over a Cardiff side whose player Peter Whittingham also died this year.
Diop saw out his career at AEK Athens, West Ham and Birmingham retiring in 2013.
it was at the 2002 World Cup where Diop and tournament debutants Senegal really
made their names.
in the opening game of the World Cup Diop scored the only goal in victory over
World Champs and tournament favourites France.
Diop later scored a brace in a crazy 3-3 draw against Uruguay.
classic match.
Senegal beat Sweden in the last 16 before losing to Turkey (golden goal in 97th min)
in the quarters.
Diop won 63 caps scoring 11 goals.
the French coach of Senegal in 2002 Bruno Metsu (1954-2013) was another national
hero in his adopted nation who was also taken too soon.
Papa Bouba Diop, former Fulham, Portsmouth, and Senegal midfielder, dies aged 42
Ex-Fulham, Portsmouth and Senegal midfielder Diop dies aged 42 | Goal.com