Just Fontaine died on Wednesday March 1, announces Europe 1. The former French international and coach died at the age of 89. In 21 selections with the Blues, he planted 30 goals and also holds the record for goals scored in a World Cup. During the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, Fontaine shook the net 13 times in six matches played. France had reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history, beaten by Pelé’s Brazil.
Born in Marrakech, this rather stocky striker, both fox of the surfaces before the hour and gunner, was not intended to compete in the event since he was preceded in the hierarchy by Thadée Cisowski. But the latter is injured at the last moment.
In addition to his 13 goals and the first international medal for the French team gleaned in Sweden, Fontaine has also built a list of choice in clubs with four titles of champion of France (1 with Nice, 3 with Reims), two Cups de France (Nice in 1954 and Reims in 1958) and a European Cup final for champion clubs with Reims lost in 1959 (2-0) against the great Real Madrid of Di Stefano, Puskas and Kopa.
However, Fontaine’s career as a player came to an abrupt end in 1962 at only 28 years old after a double fracture of a leg.
Withdrawn from the field, Fontaine becomes coach, but his time on the bench will be quite mixed.
His name is engraved in the annals for a performance far less glorious than his 13 World Cup goals: He only held two matches in charge of the France team in 1967, before being ejected after two defeats in friendly matches.
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