Sol Bamba: Smile is defenders lasting tribute says Neil Warnock

Ex-Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock believes the memory of Sol Bamba’s smile would be the best tribute for the iconic Ivorian defender.

Bamba died last week aged 39, with wife Chloe revealing he “finally succumbed” having first been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021, during his time at Cardiff.

Former clubs, team-mates and fans were quick to share heart-felt messages for a player who captained Leeds United and enjoyed spells with Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Hibernian and Dunfermline Athletic.

And there are calls from Bluebirds fans for a lasting tribute to Bamba, who the Welsh side described as a “club legend” and “a hero to all of us”.

Warnock says the player, who once described him as a “father-figure”, would not want any fuss.

“Do you know I’m not sure Sol would like anything like that,” Warnock told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“Sol just liked to be himself and didn’t want any accolades or anything like that, he was just a gentleman.

“I don’t think any Bluebird fan would not be able to close their eyes and think about that beaming smile, or one of the goals he scored and I think that’s the tribute.

Yes, you can do one thing or another, but I think the Bluebirds fans will remember him in their own mind and love him as they did.”