Paris, Mar.1 (BNA): No one could beat Just Fontaine’s World Cup scoring record during his lifetime. His 13 goals in a single tournament was set with France in 1958 and has withstood 16 World Cups since.
Fontaine’s death was confirmed Wednesday by his former club Reims and the French soccer federation. He was 89, reports AP.
The closest anyone has come to Fontaine’s tally was was Gerd Müller, who scored 10 for West Germany in 1970. Kylian Mpape scored eight at last year’s World Cup.
Fontaine took six games to achieve his feat at the World Cup in Sweden, shortly after winning a French league and French Cup double with Reims and leading the league with 34 goals.
Entering the World Cup tournament, the Moroccan-born Fontaine was a little-known forward outside of the French league.
Yet he tormented opponents with his lightning speed and finishing touch — and even with someone else’s boots. He had to borrow a pair of cleats after damaging his own in practice.
Fontaine scored four goals in the third-place game against West Germany but could have had five if he had taken the penalty kick.
Fontaine set the record when FIFA did not present a specific award for the tournament’s top scorer — now called the Golden Boot.
Source: Bahrain News Agency