PARIS: Just Fontaine, the French soccer great who scored a record 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup, has died. He was 89. Fontaine’s former club Reims and the French soccer federation confirmed his death on Wednesday.
Fontaine took six games to achieve his feat at the 1958 tournament in Sweden, shortly after winning a French league and French Cup double with Reims and leading the league with 34 goals. “Justo is, and will remain a legend of the French team,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. Entering the World Cup tournament, the Moroccan-born Fontaine was a little-known forward outside of the French league.
Yet he tormented opponents with his speed and finishing touch — and even with someone else’s boots. He had to borrow a pair of cleats after damaging his own boots in practice. Fontaine scored four goals in the third-place game against West Germany, but could have had five if he had taken the penalty kick.
In addition to his feats with the national team, Fontaine won the French league title four times, the French Cup and reached the final of the 1959 European Cup during his club career with USM Casablanca, Nice and Reims. After he retired, Fontaine co-founded France’s players’ union and served as chairman for a few years. He also briefly coached France’s national team before stints with Luchon, Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse and the Moroccan national team.
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