Salif Diao
Encyclopedia
Salif Alassane Diao is a Senegalese
footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Stoke City
.
Diao moved from Senegal to France when he was seventeen and started his career at AS Monaco
with whom he helped with the French Super Cup
and French Division 1
. He failed to hold down a regular place at Monaco and moved to Sedan
in 2000. Diao then had an impressive 2002 World cup with Senegal
which attracted the attention of several Premier League sides. It was Liverpool
who won the race and signed Diao for £5 million in 2002.
His time at Liverpool was unsuccessful and was sent out on loan to Birmingham City
, Portsmouth
and Stoke City
. He joined the latter Stoke permanently on a free transfer in 2007 and helped the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
, Tambacounda Region
. He began his career in his native country before moving to France
at the age of seventeen. He begin his professional career playing for AS Monaco
in 1996 but did not feature for the club at all in the 1996–1997 season and was loaned out the Ligue 2 side SAS Épinal
were he played 2 matches for the club. He returned to Monaco for the 1997–98 season were he 12 times in his second season at the club. he was also part of the AS Monaco
side that won the French League
in the 1999–2000 season. He also won a runner-up medal in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, where Senegal lost in extra time to Cameroon
.
. He played 32 games in all competitions in his first season at Sedan Ardennes in the 2001/2002 season including 3 matches in the UEFA Cup
. He made his first start of the on 28 July 2001 in their 1–1 draw away at Bastia
. He made 22 appearances for Sedan in his second season at the club with an extra 2 games in the UEFA Cup. His last game for Sedan came in their 1–1 draw with FC Lorient
on the 6 April 2002 before joining English club Liverpool
.
from French club CS Sedan Ardennes
for £5 million (€7.5m) after impressing several watching scouts with his performances at the 2002 World Cup
in South Korea
and Japan
. He helped Senegal
reach the quarter finals, most notably in scoring a memorable goal against Denmark
in the first round, although he was subsequently red-carded.
At the club, he tended to be used out of position by Houllier, often played at centre back or full back and as a result never had the chance to demonstrate whether he was capable of playing a central midfield role for the club, although the evidence did suggest he was somewhat out of his depth. His first Liverpool goal came against Spartak Moscow
in the Champions League. He scored a total of three goals, only one coming in the league, in a 1–0 win at Leeds United
in October 2002.
Diao was played in his correct position by Rafa Benítez but several poor displays saw him displaced by Xabi Alonso
notably after a 4–2 win at Fulham
. Liverpool were 2–0 down when Diao was substituted, he had been at fault for one of the goals Fulham scored whilst attempting a bizarre back heel. Despite not having featured for months Diao was present in Istanbul
when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. He appeared only once in the campaign, coming on as a substitute away at Olympiacos in the group stage. It was during the 2004–05 season that Diao scored his last Liverpool goal against Millwall
in the Carling Cup
, and he played his last game for Liverpool at Norwich City
in January 2005.
In January 2005 Birmingham City
took Diao, who had struggled to make Liverpool's first team, on loan for the rest of the season but he had his spell at Birmingham ended by injury almost immediately. The arrival of Rafael Benítez
and defensive midfielder Mohamed Sissoko
, signalled the end of his Liverpool career. Ironically, while Sissoko has been branded the "new Vieira
" by Benítez, Diao had received this same tag from Houllier upon his arrival at Liverpool.
Diao was not issued a squad number by Liverpool for the 2005–06 season, with his number 15 being given to new signing Peter Crouch
. He joined Portsmouth
in August 2005 on a season long loan but spent much of the season out injured. At the end of the season Pompey manager Harry Redknapp
decided not to take up the option to sign him permanently because of his injury-proneness. In July 2006 Diao was taken on trial by Premiership side Charlton Athletic
. He failed a medical at the club, thus ending his chances of signing.
on loan. He made his debut for Stoke four days latter in a 4–0 win away at Leeds United
. He has been a consistent player for Stoke, holding the team together, slowing down the tempo and speed of the game. It is thought that the revival of Stoke City during the 2006–07 season was in a large part due to Salif's hard-working performances. On 25 January 2007, his contract at Stoke was extended until the end of the season. At the end of the 2006–07 season Diao was released by Liverpool and was expected to sign for Stoke but did not sign a deal with the club because he was worried about his fitness levels.
He eventually signed permanently for Stoke on a one and a half year deal in December 2007.
Diao put in some decent performances for Stoke including games against former club Liverpool
and man of the match performances against Chelsea
and Sunderland
. In June 2009 he was offered a new one-year contract to stay at the Britannia Stadium
, which he accepted. He scored his first goal for the club in an away win at Portsmouth
in February 2010. It was only Diao's second ever League goal and with his first coming six years before.
Diao left Stoke after he rejected a new contract which would have given a joint role as a club ambassador and player. However Diao changed his mind and agreed to sign a new contract with Stoke. Diao cited his respect for the club and of Tony Pulis for his decision to re-sign. During the 2010–11 season
Diao played eleven times for Stoke and was a unused substitute in the 2011 FA Cup Final
.
at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
. He was later sent off in the same match. Diao was in the Senegal squad that went to the 2002 African Cup of Nations were Senegal finished second after losing in the final to Cameroon and was part of the Senegal side that went to the 2004 African Cup of Nations
.
He was also in the side that reached the quarter finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup
and played games including their 1–0 win over then current champions France
, as well as scoring in their 1–1 draw with Denmark
before being sent off which meant he missed their next two games but returned for their quarter final exit to Turkey
. He has also been involved in Senegal's qualification campaigns for the past three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010. After Senegal failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Senegal fans went on a rampage, Diao, along with Stoke City team-mates Abdoulaye Faye
and Ibrahima Sonko
, were caught up in crowd trouble in Dakar
.
|-
|2001||8||0
|-
|2002||13||3
|-
|2003||7||1
|-
|2004||9||0
|-
|2009||2||0
|-
!Total||39||4
|}
:
Liverpool
:
Stoke City
:
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
.
Diao moved from Senegal to France when he was seventeen and started his career at AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
with whom he helped with the French Super Cup
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
and French Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. He failed to hold down a regular place at Monaco and moved to Sedan
CS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
in 2000. Diao then had an impressive 2002 World cup with Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
which attracted the attention of several Premier League sides. It was Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
who won the race and signed Diao for £5 million in 2002.
His time at Liverpool was unsuccessful and was sent out on loan to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
and Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. He joined the latter Stoke permanently on a free transfer in 2007 and helped the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
AS Monaco
Diao was born in KédougouKédougou
Kédougou is a town in southeastern Senegal at 12.56 degrees N. latitude and 12.21 degrees W, longitude and at an elevation of 547 feet above sea level. Founded by the Diahanké people, Kédougou means the "Land of Man". The town lies on the N7 road and the River Gambia amid the Pays Bassari hills...
, Tambacounda Region
Tambacounda Region
Tambacounda, formerly known as Sénégal Orientale, is a region of Senegal. It used to be part of the Mali Empire before the borders were created to separate Mali from Senegal. Tambacounda is physically the largest of Senegal's 11 regions, but is sparsely populated and its economy lags behind the...
. He began his career in his native country before moving to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
at the age of seventeen. He begin his professional career playing for AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
in 1996 but did not feature for the club at all in the 1996–1997 season and was loaned out the Ligue 2 side SAS Épinal
SAS Épinal
Stade Athletique Spinalien Épinal is a French football club based in the commune of Épinal.They currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A. Their kit colours are yellow and blue...
were he played 2 matches for the club. He returned to Monaco for the 1997–98 season were he 12 times in his second season at the club. he was also part of the AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
side that won the French League
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in the 1999–2000 season. He also won a runner-up medal in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, where Senegal lost in extra time to Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
.
Sedan Ardennes
In 2001 he signed for Sedan ArdennesCS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
. He played 32 games in all competitions in his first season at Sedan Ardennes in the 2001/2002 season including 3 matches in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. He made his first start of the on 28 July 2001 in their 1–1 draw away at Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
. He made 22 appearances for Sedan in his second season at the club with an extra 2 games in the UEFA Cup. His last game for Sedan came in their 1–1 draw with FC Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
on the 6 April 2002 before joining English club Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Liverpool
He was signed by former Liverpool manager Gérard HoullierGérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
from French club CS Sedan Ardennes
CS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
for £5 million (€7.5m) after impressing several watching scouts with his performances at the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He helped Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
reach the quarter finals, most notably in scoring a memorable goal against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
in the first round, although he was subsequently red-carded.
At the club, he tended to be used out of position by Houllier, often played at centre back or full back and as a result never had the chance to demonstrate whether he was capable of playing a central midfield role for the club, although the evidence did suggest he was somewhat out of his depth. His first Liverpool goal came against Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
in the Champions League. He scored a total of three goals, only one coming in the league, in a 1–0 win at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in October 2002.
Diao was played in his correct position by Rafa Benítez but several poor displays saw him displaced by Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed...
notably after a 4–2 win at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Liverpool were 2–0 down when Diao was substituted, he had been at fault for one of the goals Fulham scored whilst attempting a bizarre back heel. Despite not having featured for months Diao was present in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. He appeared only once in the campaign, coming on as a substitute away at Olympiacos in the group stage. It was during the 2004–05 season that Diao scored his last Liverpool goal against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in the Carling Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, and he played his last game for Liverpool at Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in January 2005.
In January 2005 Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
took Diao, who had struggled to make Liverpool's first team, on loan for the rest of the season but he had his spell at Birmingham ended by injury almost immediately. The arrival of Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
and defensive midfielder Mohamed Sissoko
Mohamed Sissoko
Mohamed Lamine Sissoko Gillan is a French-born Malian footballer who is currently playing for the French Ligue 1 team Paris-Saint Germain and the Malian national team. Although he could have elected to play for France internationally, he chose to play for the country of his descent, Mali...
, signalled the end of his Liverpool career. Ironically, while Sissoko has been branded the "new Vieira
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a retired French footballer of Senegalese descent who is the Football Development Executive at Manchester City....
" by Benítez, Diao had received this same tag from Houllier upon his arrival at Liverpool.
Diao was not issued a squad number by Liverpool for the 2005–06 season, with his number 15 being given to new signing Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch
Peter James Crouch is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the England national team.Crouch started his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur...
. He joined Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in August 2005 on a season long loan but spent much of the season out injured. At the end of the season Pompey manager Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
decided not to take up the option to sign him permanently because of his injury-proneness. In July 2006 Diao was taken on trial by Premiership side Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. He failed a medical at the club, thus ending his chances of signing.
Stoke City
On 10 October 2006 Diao joined Stoke CityStoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on loan. He made his debut for Stoke four days latter in a 4–0 win away at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He has been a consistent player for Stoke, holding the team together, slowing down the tempo and speed of the game. It is thought that the revival of Stoke City during the 2006–07 season was in a large part due to Salif's hard-working performances. On 25 January 2007, his contract at Stoke was extended until the end of the season. At the end of the 2006–07 season Diao was released by Liverpool and was expected to sign for Stoke but did not sign a deal with the club because he was worried about his fitness levels.
He eventually signed permanently for Stoke on a one and a half year deal in December 2007.
Diao put in some decent performances for Stoke including games against former club Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and man of the match performances against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. In June 2009 he was offered a new one-year contract to stay at the Britannia Stadium
Britannia Stadium
The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank...
, which he accepted. He scored his first goal for the club in an away win at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in February 2010. It was only Diao's second ever League goal and with his first coming six years before.
Diao left Stoke after he rejected a new contract which would have given a joint role as a club ambassador and player. However Diao changed his mind and agreed to sign a new contract with Stoke. Diao cited his respect for the club and of Tony Pulis for his decision to re-sign. During the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Stoke City F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was the 148th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their third in the Premier League and 111th in the league system of English football. Their 11th place finish in the 2009–10 season means it is their third successive season in the Premier League...
Diao played eleven times for Stoke and was a unused substitute in the 2011 FA Cup Final
2011 FA Cup Final
The 2011 FA Cup Final was the 130th final of the FA Cup, the world's oldest domestic football cup competition. The match took place on 14 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London. The clubs contesting the 2011 final were Premier League clubs Manchester City and Stoke City, with the victors guaranteed...
.
International career
Diao has appeared 39 times for Senegal, netting 4 goals in the process since 2000, including a strike against DenmarkDenmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. He was later sent off in the same match. Diao was in the Senegal squad that went to the 2002 African Cup of Nations were Senegal finished second after losing in the final to Cameroon and was part of the Senegal side that went to the 2004 African Cup of Nations
2004 African Cup of Nations
The 2004 African Cup of Nations was the 24th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Tunisia. Just like in 2002, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
.
He was also in the side that reached the quarter finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
and played games including their 1–0 win over then current champions France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, as well as scoring in their 1–1 draw with Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
before being sent off which meant he missed their next two games but returned for their quarter final exit to Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
. He has also been involved in Senegal's qualification campaigns for the past three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010. After Senegal failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Senegal fans went on a rampage, Diao, along with Stoke City team-mates Abdoulaye Faye
Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye
Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye , more commonly known as Abdoulaye Faye, is a Senegalese footballer who plays for Championship club West Ham United...
and Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:...
, were caught up in crowd trouble in Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
.
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Monaco AS Monaco FC Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille... |
1996–97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997–98 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 0 | |
| Épinal SAS Épinal Stade Athletique Spinalien Épinal is a French football club based in the commune of Épinal.They currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A. Their kit colours are yellow and blue... (loan) |
1996–97 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Sedan Ardennes CS Sedan Ardennes Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located... |
2000–01 Division 1 season 2000-01 FC Nantes won Division 1 season 2000/2001 of the French Association Football League with 68 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:Promoted from Ligue 2 , who will play in Division 1 season 2001/2002** FC Sochaux-Montbéliard : champion of Ligue 2... |
27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 2001–02 Division 1 season 2001-02 Olympique Lyonnais won Division 1 season 2001/2002 of the French Association Football League with 66 points. The title was decided in the very final game of the season when Lyon received erstwhile championship leaders Lens at Stade Gerland... |
22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 57 | 0 | |
| Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
2002–03 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| 2003–04 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| Total | 37 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 61 | 3 | |
| Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... (loan) |
2004–05 2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season The 2004–05 season was Birmingham City Football Club's third season in the Premier League and their 52nd in the top tier of the English football league system. It ran from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. Led by former player Steve Bruce, the team finished in 12th place, two places lower than the... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... (loan) |
2005–06 2005–06 Portsmouth F.C. season During the 2005–06 English football season, Portsmouth F.C. competed in the FA Premier League. It was Portsmouth's third consecutive season in English football's top-flight.-Season summary:... |
11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
2006–07 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 | 1 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Stoke City F.C. season The 2010–11 season was the 148th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their third in the Premier League and 111th in the league system of English football. Their 11th place finish in the 2009–10 season means it is their third successive season in the Premier League... |
8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 2011–12 Stoke City F.C. season The 2011–12 season is the 149th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their fourth in the Premier League and 112th in the league system of English football. Their 13th place finish in the 2010–11 season means it is their fourth successive season in the Premier League... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |7 | 0 | |
| Total | 84 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 99 | 1 | |
| Career total | 212 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 264 | 4 | |
International
As of June 2011|-
|2001||8||0
|-
|2002||13||3
|-
|2003||7||1
|-
|2004||9||0
|-
|2009||2||0
|-
!Total||39||4
|}
Honours
AS MonacoAS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
:
- French Super CupTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
: 1997–98 - French Division 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1999–2000
Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
:
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: 2002–03
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
:
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
runner-up: 2010–112010–11 FA CupThe 2010–11 FA Cup was the 130th season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short...