Fontaine, who migrated to France at age 20, was born in Morocco in 1933. One of the most productive attackers of his era, he represented the French teams OGC Nice and Stade de Reims. Fontaine scored an astounding 200 goals in 213 club games. The only big competition Fontaine ever participated in was the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
He joined the French team at the last minute, and it took him six games to establish the record with 13 goals. Considering that he had to borrow a pair of cleats after ruining his boots in practice, his extraordinary achievement is all the more remarkable.
Despite the honor not being given out at the competition, Fontaine was the first player to get it for scoring the most goals at a World Cup. He now maintains the record for most goals scored in a World Cup career. However, Miroslav Klose of Germany finally beat it in 2014. In the third-place match versus West Germany, Fontaine scored four goals and would have had five if he had converted the penalty kick. He scored in every game, and the only goal Brazil allowed all tournaments gave France the lead.
Unfortunately, France was defeated 5-2 by a Brazil side, including Pele, then just 17 years old. With a clumsy tackle in March 1960, Fontaine’s brilliant career was cut abruptly. He suffered a terrible leg fracture. He played in 21 games for France, scoring 30 goals, and will be remembered for his rapid speed and unforgiving finishing. Just Fontaine’s reputation endures in the minds of the French soccer community, and generations to come will remember him for his excellent World Cup performance in 1958. Many aspiring football players look up to him, and his influence on the sport will be felt for many years.