El Hadji Diouf

Senegal's World Cup debut in 2002 began by beating holders France 1-0, Papa Bouba Diop scoring after Diouf's run and cross. Diouf's pace and nerve made him the face of a team that reached the quarter-finals, equalling Cameroon's African record, before a golden goal against Turkey ended it. He was African footballer of the year in 2001 and 2002, and this was the tournament that showed why.