Just Fontaine, who holds the record for the most goals scored at a single World Cup, has died at the age of 89.
Fontaine scored 13 goals in just six matches for France at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as they finished third.
“A star of French football, an outstanding striker, a legendary Reims player,” said his former club Stade de Reims.
“The death of Just Fontaine plunges French football into deep emotion and immense sadness,” said FFF interim president Philippe Diallo.
France manager Didier Deschamps said Fontaine’s death will “sadden everyone who loves football”, adding that he “is and will remain a legend of the France team.”
A minute’s applause in tribute to Fontaine will be held at all French football grounds, starting with Wednesday’s matches in the French Cup. Only three players have scored more goals at World Cups than Fontaine, a statistic made more remarkable by the fact he only played in the 1958 tournament.
The striker went on to score in every game in Sweden, including four goals in a 6-3 win over West Germany in the third-place play-off.
As a manager, Fontaine had two games in charge of France in 1967 before leading Paris St-Germain to promotion to the top division in 1974, where they have remained ever since.
