World Football is now in a state of mourning following the passing of French football legend and World Cup record-holder Just Fontaine who died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
News of his passing was confirmed by the French Football Federation on Tuesday via their website and social media.
Fontaine, who is one of France’s most revered strikers- is best known for scoring the most goals in a single World Cup-netting 13 times in just six matches during a mesmerizing run in the 1958 tournament in Sweden.
The specifics around the cause of death have yet to be officially released.
France manager Didier Deschamps paid tribute to the Les Bleus legend.
He said: “The passing of Just Fontaine saddens me, as it will all of those that love football and our national team. Justo is, and will always be, a legend of the French team”.
The former player added: “Player then manager, I had the chance to meet him on numerous occasions, notably at Toulouse in September 2017.”
Deschamps continued “Justo is a very kind man, very respectful of the French generations that succeeded his own His attachment to the team was strong and severe.”
Current star strikers Kylian Mbappe and Oliver Giroud also paid tribute to the French football icon.
Fontaine had a brief yet prolific international career which started off with a hat-trick on his debut, as he went on to net 30 goals in just 21 games.
A playing career that was cut short at just 28 due to injuries.
He would however delve into the world of coaching where he had success in the French league winning three times with Reims and once with Nice, while also picking up two French Cup titles during that chapter of his career.
His exploits at the 1958 World Cup however remain a staple performance in world football where he led France to third in that tournament.
His tally of 13 goals in a single Cup is yet to be matched as he sits joint with 2023 Cup winner Lionel Messi fourth on the tournament’s all-time scorer’s list.
At the 2014 World Cup, he was awarded a Golden Boot for his record at the 1958 World Cup.
