El Hadji Diouf is a hero in Senegal. Everywhere he goes, he is mobbed by fans both young and old. His countrymen are still grateful for the stellar role he played during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
But in England, he is remembered more for his controversial antics than for his football talent.
It is a trait that followed him in the English league clubs he played for – from Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers to Bolton Wanderers, with a spell for Rangers in Scotland as well.
Diouf was aggressive, spat at opponents and confronted match officials as well as opponents.
But now in his retirement, he is telling his story.
“I am a lion, I am a bad loser and it’s not wrong to be a bad loser,” said Diouf of his often-combative mood during his playing days.
“I have got character and I want people to respect me.”
Diouf, who has moved back to the Senegalese capital Dakar, says he was often misunderstood during his playing days in England.
He said: “I am an easy target. It’s easy to talk about El Hadji Diouf and I let them talk but I know in my heart I am a good guy. My family knows, my population knows, my continent knows I am a good guy and that’s the best thing. The rest is not my problem.”
Despite this defence, Diouf admits he has done some bad things.
When asked why, for example, he used to spit at opponents, he said: “Maybe they used to tell me something I didn’t want to hear. I did that, I paid and now it’s finished.”