Just Fontaine

Date of Birth: August 18, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: February 28, 2023

Biography

Just Fontaine, born on August 18, 1933, in Marrakech, French Morocco, was a legendary French footballer celebrated for his incredible goal-scoring prowess. Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history, Fontaine’s career was marked by his exceptional ability to find the back of the net with remarkable consistency. Fontaine began his professional career with USM Casablanca before moving to France to join OGC Nice in 1953. His incredible skill and goal-scoring ability quickly caught the attention of larger clubs, and in 1956, he transferred to Stade de Reims. It was at Reims where Fontaine truly cemented his status as a football legend, helping the team to win multiple French championships and reach the final of the European Cup in 1959. However, Fontaine is perhaps best known for his extraordinary performance in the 1958 FIFA World Cup held in Sweden. In that tournament, he scored an astonishing 13 goals in just six matches, a record that still stands today. His incredible feat earned him the Golden Boot and helped France secure a third-place finish. After retiring from professional football in 1962 due to injury, Fontaine transitioned into coaching and management, contributing to the sport in various capacities. He was briefly the manager of the French national team and later worked with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse.

5 Interesting Facts about Just Fontaine

1. Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup tournament, with 13 goals in 1958.

2. He was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004.

3. Fontaine’s international goal-scoring record stands at 30 goals in 21 matches for France.

4. He famously scored a hat-trick in his World Cup debut against Paraguay in 1958.

5. Fontaine co-founded the National Union of Professional Football Players in France.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Just Fontaine

1. “Scoring goals is like making love. Everyone can do it, but nobody does it like me.”

2. “My record of 13 goals in a World Cup will never be broken; it’s impossible. The only player who could break it is Pelé, but he’s playing in another sport.”

3. “Football is a simple game. You have to score one more goal than your opponent.”

4. “In life, you have to take risks to achieve great things.”

5. “The World Cup is the most important competition in the world, and to leave your mark on it is something special.”