Aged 89
French soccer legend Just Fontaine has passed away. The news agency “AFP” reported on Wednesday with reference to the family of the former star player. The World Cup record scorer was 89 years old. At the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, Fontaine scored 13 goals in six games for Les Bleus – more than any other player at a World Cup tournament.
“A monument to French football has left us,” wrote Fontaine’s ex-club Paris Saint-Germain on Twitter. “It’s a sad day for all Paris supporters.” As coach, Fontaine led PSG to the first division in 1974.
Fontaine was born on August 18, 1933 in Marrakech, Morocco. His love for football sparked at a young age. In the early 1950s, he impressed with a number of goals at USM de Casablanca. Fontaine moved to OGC Nice and later to Stade Reims. In 1953 he was in the French national team for the first time. By 1960, Fontaine had scored 30 goals in just 21 international matches for the French.
The player known as “Justo” had to end his career after serious injuries in his late twenties. This was followed by positions as a coach with the French and later the Moroccan national team. Paris Saint-Germain coached Fontaine from 1973 to 1976.
RIP Just Fontaine.
A legend of French football who has sadly left us and a sad day for all at Paris Saint-Germain, a club he led to the first division 50 years ago. pic.twitter.com/HovqldRTir
— Paris Saint Germain (@PSG_English) March 1, 2023
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