PARIS – Former French soccer representative Just Fontaine died at the age of 89. The legendary forward scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, which is still the highest scoring record in one championship.
His family confirmed the death to AFP, and L’Équipe newspaper also confirmed the news on its website.
Fontaine was one of the stars of the 1958 World Cup, where he helped his country reach the semi-finals for the first time in history.
“Les Bleus” won bronze medals in Sweden, while Fontaine scored four goals in the winning duel for 3rd place against West Germany (6:3). In the years 1953-60 he scored a total of 30 goals for the national team, he had to end his career due to persistent injuries.
At club level, he wore the jerseys of USM Casablanca, Nice and Stade Reims. He won the championship title in the highest French competition four times, and also has a triumph in the national cup and the Super Cup.
🇬🇧 Just Fontaine died overnight at the age of 89. A legend of French football, still the record holder for the number of World Cup goals in an edition, with 13 goals in six games in 1958.
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) March 1, 2023
He ended his playing career in 1962, then started a coaching career. In 1967, he took the helm of the French national team, he also led Luchon, Paris St. Germain, Toulouse or the national team of Morocco.
- Author: © List
- PHOTO: Twitter/RMC Sport
- Source: TASR
