Former Senegalese star Papa Bouba Diop has passed away at the age of 42.
According to reports, Bouba Diop had been suffering with a long-time illness, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
World governing body FIFA as well as his former club, RC Lens, paid tribute on Twitter
Diop became a national hero when he scored the goal which saw Senegal beat France 1-0 in their opening World Cup game in 2002.
The midfielder first arrived in English football when he joined Fulham from Lens in 2004, becoming known as “The Wardrobe” at Craven Cottage.
Diop won 63 caps for Senegal, scoring 11 goals including his historic World Cup strike.