Former France international and the World Cup record holder Just Fontaine has passed away at the age of 89
The legendary France striker Just Fontaine has passed away. Fontaine single-handedly scored 13 goals in six matches in a single World Cup, a record that no one has even come close to since, leading France to the semi-finals for the first time ever.
The Eternal Fontaine
Fontaine’s legendary 1958 campaign started with a bang as he scored a hat-trick against Paraguay. His goals then ensured France reached the semi-finals. He then produced a masterful performance against West Germany in the third-place play-offs, scoring four goals to win France the match and the third place.
His dazzling World Cup record becomes even more impressive when one realizes the fact that he only played in one World Cup. and yet there are only three players in the entire history of the competition to have scored more goals than Fontaine Gerd Muller (14), Brazil great Ronaldo (15) and Miroslav Klose (16), all of which played in multiple World Cups.
Injury ended Fontaine’s career early at 28, yet he is still one of the best goal-scorers in France’s history with 30 goals in 21 appearances.
Fontaine was part of that infamous Reims side that won three league titles, the Coupe de France. With Reims, he reached a European Cup final in the 1958-59 season, where they eventually lost to Real Madrid.
Following his illustrious career, he moved to management, where he took charge of PSG, Toulouse, and Morocco.
