World Cup Hero Papa Bouba Diop Dies

Senegalese international footballer, Papa Bouba Diop, who once played for Fulham and Portsmouth has died in France aged 42.

Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero.

Fulham’s Twitter account said the club was “devastated” by Diop’s death. Using the late star’s nickname, the club added: 

Rest well, Wardrobe.

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Harry Redknapp who managed the Portsmouth that won the FA Cup in 2008 told BBC Radio 5 Live that Diop was “such a wonderful character.” He added:

He was fantastic for me, a great character, always happy and always had a smile on his face. He was a giant of a man.

He had no aggression in him. He looked aggressive on the pitch because he was so big, but there was nothing nasty about him.

My thoughts are with all his family.

Diop was part of the Senegal team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. He scored twice more in the 3-3 group-stage draw with Uruguay.

He also featured at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including when Senegal were runners-up in 2002. He retired in 2013.

Macky Sall, the president of Senegal, called Diop’s death “a great loss for Senegal” while Liverpool’s Senegal midfielder Sadio Mane wrote on his Instagram:

Pape Bouba, it was with a broken heart that we learned of your (death). Know that you will forever remain in our hearts even if you left without saying goodbye to us.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Chris Kamara said that he was devastated to read the news. Kamara tweeted:

Didn’t know he’d been ill … he’s been taken too young. We used to have a good chuckle together about me calling him ‘The Man Mountain Himself’. RIP Papa.

According to British media reports, Diop’s death follows a long illness with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

More: BBC News