Legendary France Striker Just Fontaine Dies Aged 89

Legendary France Striker Just Fontaine Dies Aged 89

Legendary France striker Just Fontaine, who scored a record 13 goals in a single World Cup, has died at the age of 89.

The former Stade de Reims forward notably scored 13 goals in six games at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the most ever in a single tournament.

Fontaine only played in one World Cup, but only three players in the competition’s history have scored more than 13 goals: Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, and Gerd Muller.

Fontaine is presently fourth on that record, level with Lionel Messi, but has the best goals-to-game ratio of any player with 12 or more World Cup goals, including Ronaldo, Muller, Messi, Pele, and Kylian Mbappe.

Fontaine scored 30 goals in 21 games for France from 1953 to 1960, the best goals-per-game ratio of any player to have played 10 or more times for France.

“A French football star, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player,” Reims said in a statement.

Paris Saint-Germain, whom Fontaine managed throughout his time in charge, added: “A thought for Just Fontaine. aAn icon of French football who has left us.”

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The Moroccan-born striker began his career with USM Casablanca in his home country, hitting 62 goals in 48 games before joining Nice.

Throughout his club career, the prolific forward won four Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France and one Trophee des Champions, as well as guiding Reims to the 1958-59 European Cup final, when they were beaten by Real Madrid.

Fontaine earned the European Cup Golden Boot for his ten goals in that year’s tournament, and he concluded his career with 165 goals in 200 appearances in Ligue 1.

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