AEK Athens's Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop reacts reacts during their UEFA Europa League group G football match against RSC Anderlecht on October 21, 2010, at Constant Vande Stock stadium in Brussels. RSC Anderlecht won 3-0. AFP PHOTO JOHN THYS (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
Diop is best known in his native country for scoring the winning goal against then defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.
The Senegalese squad went on to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before they were knocked out by Turkey.
Diop was also part of the team that lost to Cameroon on penalties in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations final.
He won the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth in a club career that included stints at French club Lens, Fulham, West Ham United and Birmingham City.
Victor Cisse, the secretary general of the Senegalese football federation, confirmed Diop’s death to AFP.
Senegal’s President Macky Sall said on Twitter on Sunday it was a “great loss” for the country.
© Agence France-Presse via Sports Network Africa News www.spnafricanews.com
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