Simply Fontaine, who holds the report for essentially the most objectives scored at a single World Cup, has died on the age of 89.
Fontaine scored 13 objectives in simply six matches for France on the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as they completed third.
He’s joint-fourth on the all-time World Cup goalscorers listing alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
“A star of French soccer, an excellent striker, a legendary Reims participant,” stated his former membership Stade de Reims.
One other of his former golf equipment, Paris St-Germain, stated: “A thought for Simply Fontaine. An icon of French soccer who has left us.”
The French Soccer Federation (FFF) described Fontaine as “the everlasting goalscorer” and “a legend of world soccer”.
“The demise of Simply Fontaine plunges French soccer into deep emotion and immense unhappiness,” stated FFF interim president Philippe Diallo.
“He wrote probably the most lovely pages within the historical past of the French crew.”
France supervisor Didier Deschamps stated Fontaine’s demise will “sadden everybody who loves soccer”, including that he “is and can stay a legend of the France crew.”
A minute’s applause in tribute to Fontaine shall be held in any respect French soccer grounds, beginning with Wednesday’s matches within the French Cup.
A prolific striker and report holder
Solely three gamers have scored extra objectives at World Cups than Fontaine, a statistic made extra outstanding by the actual fact he solely performed within the 1958 match.
He wouldn’t have even performed there had it not been for accidents to fellow forwards Thadee Cisowski and Reims team-mate Rene Bliard.
The striker went on to attain in each recreation in Sweden, together with 4 objectives in a 6-3 win over West Germany within the third-place play-off.
In complete, Fontaine scored 30 objectives in simply 31 appearances for France between 1953 and 1960.
He spent a lot of his membership profession at Stade de Reims, the place he scored 145 objectives in 152 appearances, successful three Ligue 1 titles and reaching the 1959 European Cup last, the place they misplaced to a Actual Madrid aspect containing Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
He additionally performed for Good and Moroccan aspect USM Casablanca however was compelled to retire in 1962 on the age of simply 28 after struggling a double leg fracture.
As a supervisor, Fontaine had two video games accountable for France in 1967 earlier than main Paris St-Germain to promotion to the highest division in 1974, the place they’ve remained ever since.
A brief spell at Toulouse adopted earlier than he took cost of Morocco, the nation of his delivery, main them to 3rd place on the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fontaine can also be remembered for serving to to type French participant’s union the UNFP, turning into its first president in 1961.
In 2004 he was named on Brazil legend Pele’s listing of the 125 biggest residing footballers.
Fontaine’s profession – in photos
