View source for Papa Bouba Diop

{{Short description|Senegalese footballer (1978–2020)}}
{{Redirect|Papa Diop|the footballers|Pape Malick Diop|and|Papakouli Diop|the basketball player|Papa Malick Diop|the diplomat|Papa Diop (diplomat)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Papa Bouba Diop
| image = Papa Bouba Diop en mai 2014.JPG
| upright = 
| caption = Papa Bouba Diop in 2014
| full_name = Papa Bouba Diop<ref name="Hugman2009–10 119">{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |year=2009 |publisher=Mainstream |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0 |page=119}}</ref>
| height = 1.95 m
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1978|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Rufisque]], Senegal
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2020|11|29|1978|1|28}}
| death_place = [[Paris]], France
| position = [[Defensive midfielder]], [[Defender (association football)#Centre back|centre back]]
| youthyears1 = 1994–1995
| youthclubs1 = Ndeffann Saltigue
| youthyears2 = 1995–1996
| youthclubs2 = [[ASC Diaraf]]
| years1 = 1996–1999
| clubs1 = [[ASC Diaraf]]
| caps1 = 
| goals1 = 
| years2 = 1999–2000
| clubs2 = [[FC Vevey-Sports 05|Vevey]]
| caps2 = 
| goals2 = 
| years3 = 2000–2001
| clubs3 = [[Neuchâtel Xamax]]
| caps3 = 19
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2001–2002
| clubs4 = [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]]
| caps4 = 29
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2002–2004
| clubs5 = [[RC Lens|Lens]]
| caps5 = 47
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2004–2007
| clubs6 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| caps6 = 76
| goals6 = 8
| years7 = 2007–2010
| clubs7 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| caps7 = 53
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2010–2011
| clubs8 = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| caps8 = 19
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2011–2012
| clubs9 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps9 = 16
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2012–2013
| clubs10 = [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
| caps10 = 2
| goals10 = 1
| totalcaps = 261
| totalgoals = 26
| nationalyears1 = 2001–2008
| nationalteam1 = [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]
| nationalcaps1 = 63
| nationalgoals1 = 11
}}
'''Papa Bouba Diop''' (28 January 1978{{spnd}}29 November 2020) was a Senegalese professional [[Association football|footballer]]. His preferred position was as a [[defensive midfielder]], but he could also play as a [[centre-back]], where he played at [[RC Lens|Lens]]. Diop was considered a physically strong and aggressive player. His playing style, position, and ability drew comparisons to former France holding midfielder [[Patrick Vieira]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Diop compared to Vieira | website=BBC SPORT | date=18 December 2005 | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4540298.stm | access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref>

Diop spent much of his career in England, where fans nicknamed him "The Wardrobe" for his stature.<ref name=kemble/> He played [[Premier League]] football for [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], and won the [[FA Cup]] with the latter club in [[2008 FA Cup final|2008]]. He also played top-flight football in Switzerland for [[Neuchâtel Xamax FCS|Neuchâtel Xamax]] and [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]], in France for [[RC Lens|Lens]] and in Greece for [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]].

Diop's second of a total of 11 international goals for [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]] came in a 1–0 victory over then-world champions [[France national football team|France]] in the opening match of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], in Senegal's first match at the [[FIFA World Cup]]. He also played at four [[Africa Cup of Nations]] tournaments, finishing as runners-up in [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]].

==Club career==

===Early career===
Diop was born in [[Rufisque]], [[Dakar]].<ref name=salut>{{cite news |url=http://www.lexpressarchives.ch/Olive/APA/SwissSNP_Fr/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IMP%2F2000%2F09%2F09&id=Ar02100&sk=8A1DC90C&viewMode=image |title=Bouba Diop: 'Notre salut passe par la solidarité' |language=fr |trans-title=Bouba Diop: 'Our salvation comes through solidarity' |first=Olivier |last=Odiet |work=L'Impartial |location=La Chaux-de-Fonds |date=9 September 2000 |page=21}}</ref> He began his football career with junior team Ndeffann Saltigue before joining [[ASC Diaraf]] of the [[Senegal Premier League]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705124155/http://www.papaboubadiop.co.uk/autobiography%20entry/18451.The%20Early%20Years%20%281983-1999%29 |title=The Early Years (1983–1999) |work=Autobiography |publisher=Icons Worldwide |first=Diop |last=Papa Bouba |archive-date=5 July 2010 |url-status=usurped |url=http://www.papaboubadiop.co.uk/autobiography%20entry/18451.The%20Early%20Years%20%281983-1999%29}}</ref> He left Senegal for Switzerland, where he spent a few months with third-tier club [[FC Vevey-Sports 05|Vevey]] before signing as a professional for [[Swiss Super League|Ligue Nationale A]] club [[Neuchâtel Xamax]] in the 2000 close season.<ref name=salut/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lexpressarchives.ch/Olive/APA/SwissSNP_Fr/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=EXP%2F2009%2F07%2F04&id=Ar02200&sk=65B7AD8B&viewMode=image |title=Un procédé courant |language=fr |trans-title=A common method |first=Raffaele |last=Poli |work=L'Express |location=Neuchâtel |date=4 July 2009 |page=22}}</ref> In December that same year, he joined fellow top-flight club [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lexpressarchives.ch/Olive/APA/SwissSNP_Fr/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=EXP%2F2000%2F12%2F09&id=Ar02303&sk=E83AD5F7&viewMode=image |title=Diop à Grasshopper|trans-title=Diop to Grasshopper |first=Jean-François |last=Berdat |work=L'Express |location=Neuchâtel |date=9 December 2000 |page=23|language=fr}}</ref> whom he helped win the [[2000–01 Nationalliga A|championship title]] in his first half-season<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zwit01.html |title=Switzerland 2000/01 |first1=Antonio |last1=Zea |first2=Karel |last2=Stokkermans |first3=Erik |last3=Garin |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=7 September 2006 |access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref> and made his first appearance in UEFA competitions the next.<ref name="EuroGC">{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/clubs/50004--grasshoppers/ |title=UEFA Champions League: Grasshopper-Club |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720070144/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2001/clubs/club=50004/matches/index.html |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=10 October 2012}}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/clubs/50004--grasshoppers/ |title=UEFA Europa League: Grasshopper-Club |publisher=UEFA |access-date=10 October 2012}}</ref> He moved to France in January 2002 to join [[RC Lens|Lens]] of [[Ligue 1|Division 1]] on a five-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2002/January/05/senegalese-international-bouba-diop-signs-for-lens/ |title=Senegalese international Bouba Diop signs for Lens |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420235651/http://uk.soccerway.com/news/2002/January/05/senegalese-international-bouba-diop-signs-for-lens/ |archive-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>

===Fulham===
After his impressive performances for Lens, Diop signed with [[Premier League]] team [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] for £6&nbsp;million, signing a four-year deal in July 2004.<ref name="WHU" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Bouba Diop Signs |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2004/july/27/bouba-diop-signs |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=27 July 2004 |access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref> Diop made his debut against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] on 14 August 2004, playing the full 90 minutes.<ref name="Soccerbase0405">{{Soccerbase season|29687|2004|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> Diop scored his first goal for Fulham against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], scoring Fulham's only goal in a 4–1 home defeat.<ref name="Soccerbase0405" /> In his first season at Fulham, Diop made such an impressive display for the club that he was named Fulham's Opta player of the season award for 2004–05.<ref>{{cite news |title=OPTA Player of the Season |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2005/may/24/opta-player-of-the-season |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=24 May 2005 |access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref>

Former Fulham manager [[Lawrie Sanchez]] said that Diop had all the attributes to become one of the best midfielders in the Premiership. He said, "There's no reason why Bouba can't get himself up to being one of the best centre midfield players in the Premiership and that's where I see his long-term position. I've seen Diop play over the years and he has all the attributes to be a top-class midfielder".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.football.co.uk/fulham/diop_tipped_for_the_top_245279.shtml |title=Diop tipped for the top – Fulham Football Club News from |website=football.co.uk |date=31 August 2010 |access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref>

For his performances during the 2005–06 season, Diop was nominated for the Fulham "Player of the Year" award. Diop would then sign a new deal keeping him until 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Diop signs new deal |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2006/april/07/diop-signs-new-deal |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=7 April 2006 |access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref> Diop then said that he made a right decision to sign a contract with Fulham.<ref>{{cite news |title=Papa Bouba Diop |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2006/june/12/papa-bouba-diop |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=12 June 2006 |access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref> Diop became a fans' favourite.<ref name="WHU" />

An injury due to hamstring, foot, and back problems resulted in him missing part of the 2006–07 season and losing the captaincy to [[Danny Murphy (footballer, born 1977)|Danny Murphy]]. In January 2007 [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] made a £5&nbsp;million bid for the midfielder, but Diop decided against the move and stayed with Fulham, helping them to avoid relegation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com.au/player/4645/papa-bouba-diop |title=Papa Bouba Diop Bio, Stats, News |date=28 January 1978 |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Coleman's Diop Hope |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2007/january/19/coleman-s-diop-hope |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=19 January 2007 |access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref>

After Diop's three years at [[Craven Cottage]] Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez allowed him to move on, and he transferred to [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on transfer deadline day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/6973431.stm |title=Portsmouth land Diop from Fulham |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=31 August 2007 |access-date=24 August 2020}}</ref> Diop finished his Fulham career having played 84 matches for the side, scoring nine goals.<ref name="Soccerbase" />

===Portsmouth===
Diop signed a five-year deal with Portsmouth for a fee of £3.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="WHU" /> He made his debut against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] on 15 September 2007 in a 0–0 draw.<ref name="sb0708" /> Diop was a key player in Portsmouth's victorious [[2007–08 FA Cup|2008 FA Cup]] campaign, playing a solid, defensive game and making some crucial tackles against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]].

Following Portsmouth's relegation, Diop was considered likely to be released. Portsmouth's administrator, Andrew Andronikou, stated that Diop would only be leaving for a fee of £1&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11674/6225066/pompey-warn-aek-over-diop |title=Pompey warn AEK over Diop |date=23 June 2010 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> but Portsmouth eventually agreed to an undisclosed fee (reported as around £750,000) to transfer Diop to [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dimond |first1=Alex |title=Papa Bouba Diop Completes Move From Portsmouth To AEK Athens  |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/9/english-football/2010/07/11/2021295/papa-bouba-diop-completes-move-from-portsmouth-to-aek-athens |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=www.goal.com}}</ref> He played 72 games for Portsmouth without scoring.<ref name="Soccerbase">{{Soccerbase|id=29687}}</ref>

===AEK Athens===
On 13 July 2010, Diop agreed terms with [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] signing a two-year deal earning €900,000 per season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidefutbol.com/2010/07/12/aek-athens-snap-up-papa-bouba-diop/27062/ |title=AEK Athens Snap Up Papa Bouba Diop |publisher=Insidefutbol.com |date=12 July 2010 |access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> despite interest from [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aek365.gr/a-68664/%CE%B7-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BC%CF%86%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%81%CF%84%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%B8.htm |title=Η συμφωνία με Πόρτσμουθ |publisher=Aek365.gr |date= 10 July 2010|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref>

Diop made his debut for AEK Athens against [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] on 19 August 2010 in a Europa League play-off first-leg game.<ref name=sbased>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2010|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> Diop appeared as a substitute at the 81st minute of the 1–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spence |first1=Jim |title=Dundee Utd 0–1 AEK Athens |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8926008.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2010}}</ref> Diop scored his first Super League goal against [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] on 3 June 2011, the match finished 4–0 to AEK.<ref name="Soccerway"/><ref>{{cite web |title=AEK Athens vs. PAOK – 6 March 2011 – Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/03/06/greece/super-league/aek-athens-fc/paok-fc/1005762/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref> Diop finished the season having played in only 19 league games.<ref name="Soccerway"/> On 30 April 2011, Diop won the [[Greek Cup]] with AEK in a 3–0 win against [[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]].<ref name=greekcup/><ref>{{cite web |title=Atromitos vs. AEK Athens – 30 April 201 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/30/greece/cup/pae-aps-atromitos-athens/aek-athens-fc/1095614/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref> Diop also scored two goals against PAOK in the Superleague Greece play-offs giving AEK the 3–0 lead.<ref>{{cite web |title=AEK Athens vs. PAOK – 15 May 2011 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/05/15/greece/super-league/aek-athens-fc/paok-fc/1107471/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref>

===West Ham United===
On 30 August 2011, West Ham announced the signing of Diop on a one-year deal. He joined on a free transfer after leaving AEK Athens. The deal included an option to sign for a further year.<ref name="WHU">{{Cite web |url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2011/august/30-august/hammers-snap-papa |title=Hammers snap up Papa |publisher=West Ham United |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> He made his debut for West Ham on 1 October 2011 in a 2–2 away draw with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref name=WHUDebut>{{cite web|last=Mail|first=Simon|title=Arsenal goalkeeper makes West Ham debut at Crystal Palace |url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/sport/football/footballnews/9283083.Almunia_makes_Hammers_debut/?ref=rss|publisher=thisislocallondon.co.uk|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105074822/https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/sport/football/footballnews/9283083.Almunia_makes_Hammers_debut/?ref=rss |archive-date=5 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first and only goal for West Ham, against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] on 17 December 2011. His goal proved to be the winner in a 1–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16123547 |title=West Ham 1–0 Barnsley |publisher=BBC |date=17 December 2011 |access-date=23 March 2012}}</ref> He made 16 appearances for West Ham in the league and was a popular member of the squad. Although not a team member on the day, Diop celebrated on the pitch with the team as they won promotion to the Premier League via the [[2012 Football League Championship play-off final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] on 19 May 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/november/29-november/papa-bouba-diop-1978-2020 |title=Papa Bouba Diop – 1978-2020 &#124; West Ham United|website=www.whufc.com}}</ref> On 30 June 2012, Diop was released by West Ham on expiry of his contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Six players depart West Ham|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7773496/Six-players-depart-West-Ham|access-date=23 May 2012|work=Sky Sports|date=23 May 2012}}</ref>

===Birmingham City===
In October 2012, he agreed terms to join former teammate [[Lee Clark (footballer)|Lee Clark]]'s [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on a short-term contract, subject to successful application for a working visa, and the deal was completed on 19 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8178823/ |title=Papa Boupa Diop has signed for Birmingham until 17 November |publisher=Sky Sports |date=19 October 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012}}</ref> He then signed for a further month,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20416107 |title=Birmingham City: Papa Bouba Diop extends Blues deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012}}</ref> and finally made his Birmingham debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw away to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] on 27 November. He was booked within minutes of entering the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/blackpool-1-birmingham-city-1-340463 |title=Blues battle for a point at Blackpool |first=Colin |last=Tattum |work=Birmingham Mail |date=28 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012}}</ref> With [[Hayden Mullins]] suspended and [[Jonathan Spector]] injured for the visit of [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on 15 December,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-v-crystal-palace-375310 |title=Birmingham City v Crystal Palace: Team news |first=Gregg |last=Evans |work=Birmingham Mail |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref> Diop made his first start for Birmingham, alongside League debutant [[Callum Reilly (footballer)|Callum Reilly]] in central midfield. He scored the equalising goal, a powerful header from [[Robert Hall (footballer)|Rob Hall]]'s corner, as Birmingham came back from 2–0 down to draw,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2012/report-blues-2-crystal-palace-2/ |title=Blues 2 Palace 2 |date=15 December 2012 |access-date=16 December 2012 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C}}</ref> and was rewarded with another month's contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20783645 |title=Birmingham City: Papa Bouba Diop signs one-month contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=18 December 2012}}</ref> He injured a hamstring soon afterwards, and despite his imminent return to fitness, the club's financial difficulties meant they could not offer him a further contract extension. He left the club in January 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/papa-exits-blues-605216.aspx |title=Papa exits Blues |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=17 January 2013 |access-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203032805/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/papa-exits-blues-605216.aspx |archive-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>

==International career==
Bouba Diop received his first call-up to the [[Senegal national football team|Senegal national squad]] in 1999, at the age of 21, while playing for [[Neuchâtel Xamax]] in the [[Swiss Super League]]. He was part of their squad that finished runners-up at the [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations]] in Mali, and scored the opening goal of a 2–1 win over [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Copnall |first1=James |title=Three off as Senegal triumph |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/feb/08/africannationscup2002.africannationscup1 |access-date=7 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=8 February 2002}}</ref>

He is perhaps best known for scoring the first goal of [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] against [[France national football team|France]], which resulted in the 1–0 defeat of the defending world champions and, ultimately, their early elimination from the tournament, in which Senegal reached the quarter-finals.<ref name="WHU" /> He ended as his team's best scorer of the tournament with three goals, having also scored twice against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]].<ref name="WHU" /> Diop celebrated his goal against France by running to the corner of the pitch, laying his shirt on the floor, and having his teammates dance around it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Danny |title=The day Senegal embarrassed France, the defending champions, at the World Cup |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/05/16/the-day-senegal-embarrassed-france-the-defending-champions-at-the-world-cup/ |access-date=7 December 2020 |publisher=These Football Times |date=16 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Coca-Cola Memorable Celebrations 14: Papa Bouba Diop Does The Senegal Shirt Dance |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3066/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations/2010/05/28/1946959/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations-14-papa-bouba-diop-does-the |access-date=7 December 2020 |publisher=Goal |date=28 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |title=Papa Bouba Diop's winner against France was Senegal's Maradona moment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/dec/06/papa-bouba-diops-winner-against-france-was-senegals-maradona-moment |access-date=7 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=6 December 2020}}</ref>

Diop played at three more [[Africa Cup of Nations]] tournaments: in [[2004 African Cup of Nations|2004]] he scored in a 3–0 group win over [[Kenya national football team|Kenya]] in Tunisia,<ref>{{cite news |title=Senegal brush past Kenya |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3443371.stm |access-date=7 December 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2004}}</ref> and in [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006]] he netted in a 3–2 victory against [[Guinea national football team|Guinea]] in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senegal hit back to defeat Guinea |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/02/03/africa.senegal/ |access-date=7 December 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=3 February 2006}}</ref> His last appearances were in a group-stage elimination in Ghana in [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations|2008]], in which Senegal manager [[Henryk Kasperczak]] resigned during the tournament due to the team's ill discipline.<ref>{{cite news |last=Doyle |first=Paul |title=Diouf and co miss the real party |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/01/africannationscup2008.africannationscup |access-date=7 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=1 February 2008}}</ref> Diop played 63 times for Senegal, scoring 11 goals.<ref name=int/>

During the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 World Cup]], Senegal dedicated their win over [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]] to Diop on the second anniversary of his death.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=Senegal dedicate Ecuador win to Papa Bouba Diop on two-year anniversary of death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3949696/2022/11/29/senegal-papa-bouba-diop/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 December 2022 |work=[[The Athletic]]}}</ref>

==Style of play==
His manager at Fulham, [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]], described him as a player with "great feet, scores goals, defends well, tackles, has got good pace", and that his "stature and ability" were unique in the Premier League at the time, similar to that of [[Patrick Vieira]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4540298.stm |title=Diop compared to Vieira |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=29 November 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] midfielder [[Paul Scholes]] described him as one of the most "awkward" players he had played against, and noted that "you get involved physically with him and you're wasting your time".<ref>{{cite web |last=Fay |first=Richard |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-scholes-bouba-diop-18239151 |title=Manchester United legend Paul Scholes picks surprise name as trickiest opponent |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[Manchester Evening News]]}}</ref> During his playing career in England, Diop was nicknamed "The Wardrobe" for his stature (he was {{convert|6|ft|5|in|m}} in height).<ref name=kemble/>

==Death==
Diop died in [[Paris]] on 29 November 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55124939 |title=Papa Bouba Diop: Former Senegal, Fulham & Portsmouth midfielder dies aged 42 |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> following a long illness.<ref name=kemble/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/papa-bouba-diop-ex-fulham-midfielder-dies-at-42/1jqp6nnvuyvo71lxoxyez9mcbt|title=Ex-Fulham, Portsmouth and Senegal midfielder Diop dies aged 42 |website=www.goal.com}}</ref> It was reported by ''[[L'Équipe]]'' that he had [[ALS]].<ref>{{cite news |title=L'ancien international sénégalais Papa Bouba Diop est mort à 42 ans|trans-title=Former Senegalese international Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42 |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/L-ancien-international-senegalais-papa-bouba-diop-est-mort-a-42-ans/1200094 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=L'Équipe |date=29 November 2020 |language=fr}}</ref><!-- "maladie de Charcot" is French for ALS; it isn't the same disease as Charcot-Marie-Tooth; see the hatnote at https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maladie_de_Charcot-Marie-Tooth -->

Diop's funeral was held in Dakar on 4 December before burial in his hometown. In attendance were his widow Marie-Aude, their son and daughter, [[President of Senegal|President]] [[Macky Sall]] and teammates from the 2002 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obsèques nationales de Pape Bouba Diop : Sa veuve Marie Aude et leurs enfants Aron et Awa aux côtés du président Macky Sall.|trans-title=Papa Bouba Diop's national funeral: His widow Marie Aude and their children Aron and Awa next to President Macky Sall |url=https://www.dakaractu.com/Obseques-nationales-de-Pape-Bouba-Diop-Sa-veuve-Marie-Aude-et-leurs-enfants-Aron-et-Awa-aux-cotes-du-president-Macky_a197010.html |access-date=7 December 2020 |publisher=Dakar Actu |date=4 December 2020 |language=fr}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA|Europe]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Neuchâtel Xamax]]
|[[2000–01 Nationalliga A|2000–01]]<ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway|id=2751|accessdate=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|[[Swiss Super League|Ligue Nationale A]]
|19||4||||||||||colspan="2"|–||||||19||4
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshoppers]]
|[[2000–01 Nationalliga A|2000–01]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|Ligue Nationale A
|11||1||||||||||colspan="2"|–||||||11||1
|-
|[[2001–02 Nationalliga A|2001–02]]<ref name="EuroGC" /><ref name=Soccerway/>
|Ligue Nationale A
|18||4||||||||||7<ref group=lower-alpha>2 appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], 5 in [[UEFA Cup]]</ref>||0||||||25||4
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!5!!!!!!!!!!7!!0!!!!!!36!!5
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[RC Lens|Lens]]
|[[2001–02 French Division 1|2001–02]]<ref name=SiteRCL>{{cite web |url=http://www.sitercl.com/Fichejo/D/diopboub.htm |title=Papa Bouba Diop |publisher=sitercl.com |access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|[[Ligue 1]]
|5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||5||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Ligue 1|2002–03]]<ref name=SiteRCL/>
|Ligue 1
|16||3||0||0||0||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Champions League]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||20||3
|-
|[[2003–04 Ligue 1|2003–04]]<ref name=SiteRCL/>
|Ligue 1
|26||3||0||0||2||0||6<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEFACup>Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Cup]]</ref>||2||colspan="2"|–||34||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!47!!6!!0!!0!!2!!0!!10!!2!!colspan="2"|–!!59!!8
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|[[2004–05 Fulham F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="Soccerbase0405" />
|[[Premier League]]
|29||6||3||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||35||7
|-
|[[2005–06 Fulham F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2005|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||2||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||23||2
|-
|[[2006–07 Fulham F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2006|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|23||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||24||0
|-
|[[2007–08 Fulham F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name=sb0708>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2007|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!76!!8!!4!!1!!4!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!84!!9
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
|[[2007–08 Portsmouth F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name=sb0708/>
|Premier League
|25||0||5||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||32||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Portsmouth F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2008|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||0||0||0||0||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEFACup/>||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]</ref>||0||21||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Portsmouth F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2009|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|12||0||7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||19||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!53!!0!!12!!0!!2!!0!!4!!0!!1!!0!!72!!0
|-
|[[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
|[[2010–11 AEK Athens F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superleaguegreece.net/team/151 |title=A.E.K. |publisher=Superleague Greece |access-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930194636/http://www.superleaguegreece.net/team/151 |archive-date=30 September 2012}} Select season and competition via dropdown menu.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/clubs/50129--aek-athens/ |title=2010/11 UEFA Europa League: AEK Athens FC |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221233907/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2011/clubs/club=50129/squad/index.html |archive-date=21 February 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=10 October 2012}}</ref>
|[[Superleague Greece]]
|19||1||6||0||colspan="2"|–||5<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in qualification play-offs</ref>||2||7<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||1||37||4
|-
|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2011–12 West Ham United F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=29687&season_id=141 |title=Games played by Pape Bouba Diop in 2009/2010 |publisher=Centurycomm |work=Soccerbase |access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|16||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||16||1
|-
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]
|[[2012–13 Birmingham City F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|29687|2012|name=Pape Bouba Diop|access-date=19 December 2012}}</ref>
|Championship
|2||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||2||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!261!!26!!22!!1!!8!!0!!26!!4!!8!!1!!325!!32
|}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name=int>{{NFT|5826|name=Papa Bouba Diop|accessdate=18 December 2012}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]
|2001||5||1
|-
|2002||14||5
|-
|2003||7||1
|-
|2004||14||3
|-
|2005||5||0
|-
|2006||11||1
|-
|2007||4||0
|-
|2008||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!63!!11
|}

:''Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Diop goal.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/pbdiop-intl.html|title=Pape "Papa" Bouba Diop – International Appearances|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Papa Bouba Diop
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 8 November 2001 || [[Jeonju World Cup Stadium]], [[Jeonju]], South Korea || {{fb|KOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 2 February 2002 || [[Stade Modibo Kéïta]], [[Bamako]], Mali || {{fb|NGA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 27 March 2002 || [[Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor]], [[Dakar]], Senegal || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 31 May 2002 || [[Seoul World Cup Stadium]], [[Seoul]], South Korea || {{fb|FRA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup Group A|2002 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|5 || rowspan="2" | 11 June 2002 || rowspan="2" | [[Suwon World Cup Stadium]], [[Suwon]], South Korea || rowspan="2" | {{fb|URU}} || align="center"|2–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 3–3 || rowspan="2" | 2002 FIFA World Cup
|-
| align="center"|6 || align="center"|3–0
|-
| align="center"|7 || 10 September 2003 || [[Denka Big Swan Stadium]], [[Niigata, Niigata|Niigata]], Japan || {{fb|JPN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[2003 Kirin Challenge Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || 30 January 2004 || [[Stade 15 Octobre]], [[Bizerte]], Tunisia || {{fb|KEN}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[2004 Africa Cup of Nations]]
|-
| align="center"|9 || 20 June 2004 || [[Stade de Kégué]], [[Lomé]], Togo || {{fb|TOG}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–3 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group 1|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || 10 October 2004 || [[Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex]], [[Monrovia]], Liberia || {{fb|LBR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center"|11 || 3 February 2006 || [[Harras El Hodoud Stadium]], [[Alexandria]], Egypt || {{fb|GUI}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|3–2 || [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Grasshoppers'''
* [[Swiss Super League]]: [[Swiss Football League 2000–01|2000–01]]<ref name=kemble>{{cite news |last1=Kemble |first1=Jamie |title=Former Fulham and West Ham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42 |url=https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/breaking-west-ham-united-papa-19368694 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=Football.London |date=29 November 2020}}</ref>

'''Portsmouth'''
* [[FA Cup]]: [[2007–08 FA Cup|2007–08]];<ref name=kemble/> runner-up: [[2009–10 FA Cup|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8680493.stm |title=Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>

'''AEK Athens'''
* [[Greek Cup]]: [[2010–11 Greek Cup|2010–11]]<ref name=greekcup>{{cite news |last1=Dove |first1=Ed |title=Senegal World Cup hero Diop dies at 42 |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/senegal/story/4249222/senegal-world-cup-hero-papa-bouba-diop-dies-at-42 |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=ESPN.com |date=29 November 2020}}</ref>

'''Senegal'''
* [[Africa Cup of Nations]] runner-up: [[2002 Africa Cup of Nations|2002]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/feb/11/newsstory.sport3 |title=Cameroon are hot from the spot |first=James |last=Copnall |website=The Guardian |date=11 February 2002 |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{NFT player|5826}}
* [http://www.sitercl.com/Fichejo/D/diopboub.htm Profile, stats and pictures of Bouba Diop]

{{Navboxes
|title=Senegal squads
|bg=Green
|fg=Yellow
|list1=
{{Senegal Squad 2002 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Senegal Squad 2002 World Cup}}
{{Senegal Squad 2004 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Senegal Squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Senegal Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Diop, Papa Bouba}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Footballers from Dakar]]
[[Category:Footballers from Rufisque]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Senegalese men's footballers]]
[[Category:Senegal men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Vevey-Sports players]]
[[Category:Neuchâtel Xamax FCS players]]
[[Category:Grasshopper Club Zurich players]]
[[Category:RC Lens players]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. players]]
[[Category:Portsmouth F.C. players]]
[[Category:AEK Athens F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Ham United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Swiss Super League players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Super League Greece players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:Senegalese expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from motor neuron disease in France]]
[[Category:21st-century Senegalese sportsmen]]