Just Fontaine, who holds the record for the most goals scored at a single World Cup, has passed away at the age of 89.
Born in Marrakech, French Morocco, to a French father and a Spanish mother, Fontaine scored 13 goals in just six matches for France at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as they finished third.
He is joint-fourth on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list alongside Qatar 2022 World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi.
His former club Stade de Reims wrote: “A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player.”
Another of his former clubs and Ligue 1 champions Paris St-Germain, said: “A thought for Just Fontaine. An icon of French football who has left us.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) described Fontaine as “the eternal goalscorer” and “a legend of world football”.
“The death of Just Fontaine plunges French football into deep emotion and immense sadness,” said FFF interim president Philippe Diallo.
“He wrote one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the French team.”
France manager Didier Deschamps said Fontaine’s death will “sadden everyone who loves football”, adding that he “is and will remain a legend of the France team.”
A minute’s applause in tribute to Fontaine will be held at all French football grounds, starting with Wednesday’s matches in the French Cup.
