Just Fontaine, top scorer in a World Cup, dies aged 89

The Frenchman Just Fontaine, player who holds the record for the most goals scored in a single edition of the World Cup, with 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup, died this Wednesday (1st, at the age of 89. The death was confirmed by the French Federation of Football and Reims, the club for which the striker was revealed and played for most of his career.

“The death of Just Fontaine plunges French football into deep emotion and immense sadness,” said Philippe Diallo, the French FA’s interim president following the ousting of Noel Le Graet over harassment allegations.

“He was an emblematic figure, with his incredible record. He wrote one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the French national team”, he added.

Born in Morocco, Fontaine was little known worldwide when he was called up to defend France in the Cup played in Switzerland. In the first few matches, he impressed opponents with his speed and finishing ability, this using borrowed boots after damaging his own during training.

The striker scored in all of France’s matches during the World Cup. In the semifinal, he faced Pelé’s Brazil, which would be the champion, and scored the first goal conceded by the Brazilian team in the tournament, but did not avoid a 5-2 defeat. four goals in a 6-3 triumph over West Germany.

“Beat my record? I don’t think it can ever be done,” Fonatine said in an interview with the Associated Press news agency in 2006. “The person who wants to beat my record has a huge challenge, doesn’t he? than scoring two goals per game over seven matches,” he added.

In addition to his achievements with France, Fontaine was four times champion of the French Championship, three times for Reims and twice for Nice, the club he defended after leaving the training team. He also won the French Cup for both teams. With Reims, he was also runner-up in the European Cup, the old version of the Champions League. In his entire career, he played 213 games and scored 200 goals.