RFI : El Hadji Diouf, how are you reacting to the death of Papa Bouba Diop with whom you played in the national team and at RC Lens?

El Hadji Diouf : I am very sad and deeply moved. He was much more than a teammate, he was a brother. Today, all of Senegal is sad. We will always be grateful for what he did for the country.

He will remain the first goal scorer in Senegal's World Cup history. That was in 2002 against France, the defending champions. It was you who gave him the decisive assist. It is a goal that will forever mark the history of Senegalese and African football.

(He interrupts) And world football too! He entered everyone's minds. He was an extraordinary player, a person who shared, someone who was committed to working for his native Senegal and his native Africa. It was easy to play with him because he was generous in effort as in everyday life.

I remember the training session on the eve of the match against the French team. We were saying that the goal could come from him. He was skilful in the box. He was very strong.

There was Bruno Metsu, the coach at the time who died in 2013, and now Papa Bouba Diop. It is always very painful to see members of this Senegal 2002 family pass away...

Of course, it is very hard to see someone you love, a brother in arms, a friend leave like this. The Senegalese are mourning. Bouba will remain etched in our hearts. He is a legend.