Legendary France striker Just Fontaine has passed away, aged 89.
Fontaine holds the record for the most goals scored at a single World Cup, having netted 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup. He scored 30 goals in 21 games between 1953 and 1960 for Les Bleus, before his career was cut short by injuries.
During his club career, Fontaine played for USM Casablanca, Nice and Stade Reims. He won the French first division four times, as well as the Coupe de France and the French Super Cup.
He was forced to retire aged just 28 after breaking his leg twice in quick succession. But despite playing in just one World Cup, he remains fourth on the list of all-time top scorers in the competition, behind Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16), Brazil’s Ronaldo (15) and Germany’s Gerd Muller (14).
He sits alongside Argentina legend Lionel Messi on 13 goals, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Brazil legend Pele one behind on 12.
After retiring from playing in 1962, he founded the National Union of Professional Football players before moving into management.
He took charge of the France team in 1967 before coaching Luchon, Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse and the Morocco national team, who he guided to third place at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fontaine was born to a Spanish mother in Marrakech, which was part of French Morocco in 1933. After starting his career in Morocco with Casablanca, he moved to France to continue his career.
The Mirror
