Since the announcement of the death on Sunday, November 29, 2020 of Senegalese international Papa Bouba Diop at the age of 42, testimonies have been coming from everywhere. Former national team or club teammates, close relatives or supporters show their sadness and talk about the greatness of man.
Carried away by Charcot’s disease, Pape Bouba Diop is one of the legends of Senegalese football, notably by his goal scored against France at the 2002 World Cup on Korean soil. El Hadji Diouf who was a ferryman that day claims a tribute to the height of the greatness of the man.
“What Maradona had in his country in Argentina, I think Papa Bouba deserves to have in Senegal because he really marked his time. If only for his goal against France, the first in the Cup du Monde 2002, he sold Senegal throughout the world, “a poignant message from the best Senegalese player of this World Cup.
The team’s number 10 at the time, Khalilou Fadiga also expressed his sorrow. “He was the little teddy bear, as we liked to call him. We teased him, he didn’t speak much but always had a smile on his face (…) He will be missed, he will already be missed, but he will stay never in the memory of Senegalese. Forever! “
The current Canal + consultant and Papa Bouba’s teammate at the time, Habib Beye, said he was “shocked and unsettled by the news”. For him “it’s a big loss for African football but also for French football because he played in France and England.”
The Togolese international, Emmanuel Adebayor also reacted to the disappearance of the Senegalese midfielder. “Sad to hear this news today. I will keep our past moments forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Papa Bouba Diop in these difficult times,” we can read on his Instagram account.
