<p>Legendary Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop has passed away at the age of 42. Diop, who won 63 caps for Senegal, scored the goal which secured a historic 1-0 win over France in their opening FIFA World Cup match in 2002, a tournament where Senegal made it to the quarterfinals.</p>
<p>"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 confirmed the news on Sunday evening on their official Twitter handle.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. <br /><br />Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero. <a href="https://t.co/akUJoPxCal">pic.twitter.com/akUJoPxCal</a></p>
&mdash; FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1333110013796225027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Among Diop's many accomplishments, he will always be remembered for scoring the opening goal of the 2002 World Cup. RIP, Papa Bouba Diop," a tweet from FIFA read.</p>
<p>Senegal president Macky Sall also paid tribute on Twitter, saying: "The death of Papa Bouba Diop is a great loss for Senegal."</p>
<p>"I pay tribute to a good footballer, respected by all for his courtesy and his talent, proudly reminding us of the Lions saga in 2002. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and to the football world," he added.</p>
<p>The midfielder joined Fulham from Lens two years later and excelled as a powerful defensive midfield enforcer and was affectionately known as the 'Wardrobe' due to his stature.</p>
<p>"We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. Rest well, Wardrobe," tweeted Fulham FC.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. <br /><br />Rest well, Wardrobe u00f0u009fu0096u00a4 <a href="https://t.co/rvU53Vqkmn">pic.twitter.com/rvU53Vqkmn</a></p>
&mdash; Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1333109637705584644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Current Senegal international Sadio Mane wrote on 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."</p>
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<p>Diop went on to make 98 Premier League appearances for Fulham and scored 10 goals. He played a further 53 times in the top flight after joining Portsmouth in 2007 where he became an FA Cup winner 12 months later.</p>
<p>He then had a spell with AEK Athens before returning to sign for West Ham United in 2011 and enjoyed a brief stint at Birmingham City.</p>
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Reports across media channels stated that Diop suffered from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and ALS 

Senegal World Cup hero Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42

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