Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals at 1958 World Cup, dies
FILE - Former football star Just Fontaine waves to photographers as he arrives at the UNFP, Union of French Professional Footballers, ceremony in Paris, Sunday May 17, 2015. French football great Just Fontaine, whose 1958 record of 13 goals scored during a World Cup still stands, has died. He was 89. His former club Reims announced Fontaine's death on Wednesday March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, file)
Latest News
March 1, 2023

Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals at 1958 World Cup, dies

PARIS (AP) — Just Fontaine, the French football great who scored a record 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup, has died. He was 89.

Fontaine’s former club Reims and the French football federation confirmed his death on Wednesday.

Fontaine took six games to achieve his feat at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, when he was a last-minute inclusion on the French squad.

Entering the tournament, the Moroccan-born Fontaine was a little-known forward outside of the French league. Yet he tormented opponents with his speed and finishing touch — and even with someone else’s boots. He had to borrow a pair of cleats after damaging his own boots 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.

In addition to his feats with the national team, Fontaine won the French league title four times, the French Cup and reached the final of the 1959 European Cup during his club career with USM Casablanca, Nice and Reims.

After he retired, Fontaine briefly coached France’s national team and then coached Luchon, Paris Saint-Germain, Toulouse and the Moroccan national team.

The French football federation said tributes to Fontaine will take place across France this weekend with a “minute of homage” that will also be observed on Wednesday before French Cup games at Toulouse, Marseille and Nantes.

“The death of Just Fontaine plunges French football into deep emotion and immense sadness,” said Philippe Diallo, the French federation’s interim president. “He was an emblematic figure, with his incredible record of 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup. He wrote one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the French national team.”

The highest scorer at a World Cup tournament is now acknowledged with the Golden Boot award. Fontaine set the record when FIFA did not present a specific award for the tournament’s top scorer.

“Beating my record? I don’t think it can ever be done,” Fontaine told The Associated Press in a 2006 interview. “The person who wants to beat me has a massive task, doesn’t he? He has to score two goals per game over seven games.”

Playing in the days when no substitutions were allowed, France lost 5-2 in the semifinals against a Brazil team featuring 17-year-old Pele.

Fontaine, who scored in every match, gave France an early lead with the first goal Brazil allowed in the tournament. But at 1-1, France defender Robert Jonquet broke his leg. Amazingly, he played on, trying to contend with the genius of Pele, but the French defence was considerably weakened.

The men’s record for most goals scored in a World Cup career is 16 by Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who played in four tournaments. Fontaine, who broke the record of 11 goals scored by Hungary striker Sándor Kocsis at the 1954 tournament, only played at one World Cup.

Brazil striker Marta has scored 17 goals at the Women’s World Cup, playing in five tournaments.

Fontaine’s meteoric rise as a scorer saw him get 200 goals in 213 games. He scored 30 goals in 21 games for France

Fontaine’s career was dramatically cut short when he was only 28. The Frenchman — renowned for his lightning pace and ruthless finishing — suffered a horrendous leg fracture after a mistimed tackle in March 1960.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Jamaica stun Puerto Rico 92-90
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica stun Puerto Rico 92-90
November 28, 2025
Jamaica stunned Puerto Rico 92-90 as they kicked off their FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers on the back of 26 points and 15 rebounds from...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Butler gets red card as Manning Cup heats up
Latest News, Sports
Butler gets red card as Manning Cup heats up
November 28, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A fiery Craig Butler was red-carded on Friday after his team lost 0-1 to Eltham High in a heated game in which security had to ent...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News
WATCH: BMW crashes into gully at Passagefort–Knutsford intersection in Portmore
November 28, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police are now on the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a black BMW sedan at the intersection of Passagefort and Knutsford...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News
Market Bag: Scotch bonnet pepper surges to $3,000 per pound
November 28, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The price of scotch bonnet pepper continues to climb at the Coronation Market, with vendors selling the product for an eye-waterin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Dr Reddy’s donates US$215,000 in medicines for hurricane recovery
Latest News
Dr Reddy’s donates US$215,000 in medicines for hurricane recovery
November 28, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy’s Laboratory has donated essential medication valued at US$215,000 to bolster Jamaica’s ongoing re...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bellefield councillor appeals to Windalco, Gov’t to assist in relocating Content residents
Latest News
Bellefield councillor appeals to Windalco, Gov’t to assist in relocating Content residents
November 28, 2025
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield Division) says he has formally written to UC Rusal Alumina Jamaic...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Tormenting’: Relatives search through images of the dead after Hong Kong blaze
International News, Latest News
‘Tormenting’: Relatives search through images of the dead after Hong Kong blaze
November 28, 2025
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — It has been two days since Fung lost contact with his mother-in-law, when the Hong Kong housing estate where the elderly woma...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
MLSS warns of fraudulent TikTok promoting fake Canadian farm work opportunities
Latest News, News
MLSS warns of fraudulent TikTok promoting fake Canadian farm work opportunities
November 28, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) says it is alerting the public to the unauthorised and fraudulent use of the vid...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct