Just Fontaine, who was born in Marrakesh, started playing football at the young age of 17.

The passing of French striker Just Fontaine, who was 89, has shocked the footballing world. Fontaine set a World Cup record by scoring 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where France finished third.

After winning one League and a Cup with OGC Nice during his career, the legend won three Leagues and a Cup too with Stade de Reims.

The early life

Just Fontaine, who was born in Marrakesh on August 18, 1933, started playing football at the young age of 17 for the Moroccan team, USM Casablanca. After signing with Nice three years later, he shifted to France and later represented Les Bleus internationally.

When Just Fontaine made his France debut at age of 20, he instantly differentiated himself by scoring a hat-trick against Luxembourg as France defeated them 8-0.

The undoubtedly biggest feat of Just Fontaine’s life—scoring the most goals in a single FIFA World Cup—began five years later with a second hat-trick.

Hat trick in World Cup debut

He was chosen for his first FIFA World Cup with France in 1958 and started the challenge in Sweden with a hat-trick as France defeated Paraguay 7-3 in their introductory Group 2 match.

Fontaine scored a brace against Yugoslavia in their second game, returning to the scoreboard. He gave France the lead in the fourth minute, but in the 63rd, Yugoslavia took the lead 2-1.

France was ruled out by Brazil in the semis

With Fontaine scoring a double, France defeated Northern Ireland 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Brazil, the eventual champions, defeated France 5-2 in the semi-finals to end France’s World Cup run.

Fontaine did score once, but it was inadequate, as Pele, who was only 17 at the time, scored a hat-trick to lead Brazil to success.

The Record

Just Fontaine had one more game, the third-place playoff, to either tie or surpass the previous mark for most goals in a single FIFA World Cup, which was held by Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis in 1954 with 11 goals. And the match was against a mighty opponent: West Germany.

During the first half, he scored twice to catch the record. In the 78th minute, he achieved the record by finishing his hat trick and raising his season total to 12 goals.

Fontaine, who was only 24, scored his fourth goal in the last minute of the game, granting France a 6-3 win and a third-place finish.

His 13 goals at the 1958 FIFA World Cup were more than double the second-best total of six by Pele and Germany’s Helmut Rahn. Back then, there was no Golden Boot, which is now given to the FIFA World Cup player with the most goals.