Just Fontaine, a former French football legend who set a World Cup record by scoring 13 goals in a single game in 1958, passed away on Wednesday, inspiring an outpouring of tributes.
Between 1953 and 1960, Fontaine, now 89, scored 30 goals in 21 appearances for France.
He played a key role in Les Bleus’s trip to Sweden’s semifinals in 1958.
Fontaine was a productive striker for his club, scoring 259 goals in 283 games. He was an important member of the outstanding Stade de Reims squad.
In 1959, the team advanced to the European Cup final.
Reims, who won three French top-flight titles with Fontaine, lost 0-2 to Real Madrid but ‘Justo’ ended up as the competition’s top goalscorer with 10 goals.
“A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player… To his family… Stade de Reims send their most sincere condolences,” Reims wrote on Twitter.
“A thought for Just Fontaine,” French champions Paris St-Germain (PSG) wrote on Twitter.
As a coach, Fontaine helped PSG gain promotion to the first division in 1974.
France head coach Didier Deschamps said: “I am saddened by the death of Just Fontaine, as I am sure all those who love football and our national team will be.
“As a player and then as a coach, I was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions, notably at his home in Toulouse in September 2017.
“Justo was a very kind man, very respectful of the generations that succeeded him at Les Bleus.
“His attachment to the French team was strong and sincere. I send a friendly and moving thought to his family, his relatives and all our great elders today in sorrow.” (Reuters/NAN)
