Former Sarpsborg 08 player Krépin Diatta starts for Senegal in tonight's World Cup opener against France, one of the favorites to win the tournament. Diatta, who dazzled at Sarpsborg Stadium in 2017, has developed into one of the most spectacular players to have been at the club. After his time at Sarpsborg 08, he was sold to Belgian Club Brugge for a record fee and has since played for French Monaco. Diatta has been a key player for Senegal during the World Cup qualifiers and is now part of a squad that includes superstars like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Diatta joined Sarpsborg 08 from the Oslo Football Academy in Dakar, and after just one season, he became a sought-after player in Europe. His performances at Sarpsborg 08 opened the door for him to play at the highest level in Europe. In tonight's match against France, he will showcase what he has learned over the years, and his journey from Sarpsborg 08 to the World Cup stage is an inspiring story for both the club and its fans.

Senegal and France are in the same group as Norway and Iraq, who are also participating in the tournament. Diatta is not the only one with a past in Norwegian football representing Senegal; El Hadji Malick Diouf from Tromsø and Abdoulaye Seck from Hønefoss and Sandefjord are also in the squad. Sarpsborg 08 can be proud to have contributed to the development of such talents, and Diatta is proof of the club's ability to promote young players to the international stage.