World Cup legend Fontaine dies aged 89

French and World Football legend Just Fontaine has died aged 89 | Courtesy photo

Football World Cup legend Fontaine dies aged 89

Shafic Kiyaga • 15:29 - 01.03.2023

Fontaine scored a remarkable 13 goals in just six matches for France at the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden, where they finished third.

Just Fontaine, the French football legend who holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup, has died at the age of 89.

Fontaine scored a remarkable 13 goals in just six matches for France at the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden, where they finished third.

He is joint-fourth on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi.

Born on August 18, 1933, in Marrakech, Morocco, Fontaine began his football career at the age of 17 with USM Casablanca.

Just Fontaine led France to a third place finish at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden | Courtesy Photo

He later moved to France, where he played for several clubs, including Stade de Reims, Nice, and Paris St-Germain.

At Stade de Reims, where he spent much of his club career, Fontaine scored an impressive 145 goals in 152 appearances, winning three Ligue 1 titles and reaching the 1959 European Cup final, where they lost to Real Madrid.

In 2004, he was named on Brazil legend Pele's list of the 125 greatest living footballers.

Fontaine would not have even played at the 1958 World Cup had it not been for injuries to fellow forwards Thadee Cisowski and Reims teammate Rene Bliard.

However, he went on to score in every game in Sweden, including four goals in a 6-3 win over West Germany in the third-place play-off.

Just Fontaine scored in every game during the 1958 World Cup, including scoring four goals in a 6-3 win over West Germany in the third-place play-off

Fontaine's impressive record at the 1958 World Cup is considered one of the greatest achievements in football history.

Only three players, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, and Gerd Muller, have scored more goals at World Cups than Fontaine, a statistic made more remarkable by the fact that he only played in one tournament.

As a player, Fontaine scored a total of 30 goals in just 31 appearances for France between 1953 and 1960. He retired at the age of just 28 after suffering a double leg fracture.

Fontaine later became a manager, leading Paris St-Germain to promotion to the top division in 1974. He had a short spell at Toulouse before taking charge of Morocco, leading them to third place at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.

He is also remembered for helping to form the French player's union the UNFP, becoming its first president in 1961.

Fontaine scored a total of 30 goals in just 31 appearances for France between 1953 and 1960 | Courtesy photo

Fontaine's death has led to an outpouring of tributes from the football world. His former club, Stade de Reims, said, "A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player."

The French Football Federation (FFF) described Fontaine as "the eternal goalscorer" and "a legend of world football".

While Les Blues manager Didier Deschamps said Fontaine's death will "sadden everyone who loves football", adding that he "is and will remain a legend of the France team."

To honour Fontaine's legacy, a minute's applause in tribute to him will be held at all French football grounds, starting with Wednesday's matches in the French Cup.