Cut short

Now 70, Fontaine reflects on an exceptional career

PARIS (AP) -- French soccer legend Just Fontaine's 1958 record for goals scored during a World Cup still stands today. And no one -- not even Ronaldo -- can top it, he says.

"Had Ronaldo been 100 percent fit he might have beaten it last year, but his chance has gone now," said Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in just six games as France reached the World Cup semifinals.

At age 70, Fontaine held a huge bash Monday evening to look back on the good times of his career, dramatically cut short when he was only 28.

Soccer lost one of its most lethal strikers the day Fontaine suffered a horrendous leg fracture after a mistimed tackle in March 1960. His impact has never been forgotten.

Soccer legends such as England 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton, Portugal's Eusebio and France's Michel Platini were on the guest list for the gala party in the southern French city of Toulouse.

"You know, I'm getting old now," Fontaine told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Toulouse. "I won't have too many more chances to throw parties like this."

Only a few journalists were invited to the homage. Beforehand, Fontaine described his plans for reel images beamed on giant screens for the guests. Even on grainy old film, two things would surely have stood out -- Fontaine's lightning pace and ruthless finishing.

Among the footage: Fontaine's hat trick against Paraguay, his double-barreled blasts against Yugoslavia and Scotland, his single strikes against Scotland and Brazil -- and his remarkable four-goal feast against West Germany.

"I still get four letters a week from Germany," Fontaine said. "They ask me how I scored four goals against a German team. I don't think they can quite understand it. They think it is strange."

At Fontaine's sun-drenched holiday home along the French Riviera, among the reams of newspaper cuttings, framed jerseys and dusty French caps, a rifle takes a pride of place in the living room. The rifle has a special meaning.

"In 1958, there was no official award for the top scorer, which is ridiculous," he said. "But a group of Swedes took me to one side and gave me a gold-plated rifle, to say I was the best shooter in the tournament. It was a remarkable gesture."

Fontaine was not alone in dominating the headlines in 1958.

Just as he was reaching his soccer peak, another star was beginning his ascendancy -- Brazilian legend Pele.

Pele was just 17 when he burst onto the World stage, inspiring Brazil to victory the year Fontaine obliterated scoring records.

Fontaine witnessed Pele's brilliance up close when the teenager scored a hat trick as Brazil beat France 5-2 in the semifinal.

"As soon as he touched the ball, you knew he was destined for greatness," Fontaine said. "He had an incredible technical grace, he would flip the ball over people's heads and run around them. And he made it all look so ridiculously easy."

During an international career spanning from 1953 to 1960, Fontaine scored a total of 30 goals, including five hat tricks, in only 21 games for France.

"I was at my peak," he said, recalling the injury that dimmed his legacy. "Who knows how many goals I could have scored."

Top goalscorers in World Cup history

13 goals -- Just Fontaine, France, 1958. A prolific marksman for both Reims and France, Fontaine scored two hat tricks -- against Paraguay and West Germany -- to establish a record 13 goals. Retired in 1961, aged just 28, following a leg fracture. Totaled 30 goals in only 21 games for France, and 210 club goals in 220 games for Nice and Reims.

11 goals -- Sandor Kocsis, Hungary, 1954. A superb header of the ball, known as "The Man With The Golden Head." Had a phenomenal international record, scoring 75 times in 68 internationals. Partnered the legendary Ferenc Puskas in attack for his country and played for Spanish giants Barcelona.

10 goals -- Gerd Muller, West Germany, 1970. Muller, nicknamed "Der Bomber," revolutionized soccer. With his small frame, low center of gravity and lighting reactions, he was the antithesis to the archetypal tall, powerful forward. Also played in 1974 World Cup, where he added four more goals. Totaled 68 goals in just 62 games for West Germany.

9 goals -- Ademir, Brazil, 1950 and Eusebio, Portugal, 1966. Ademir led a trio of attackers that included Zizinho and Jair. Famed for his ability to attack from deep, Ademir scored four times in the final group match against Sweden. Eusebio, nicknamed "The Black Pearl" was voted the 1965 European Player Of The Year and won the Golden Boot in 1968, awarded to the top scorer in European football. He also won the European Cup in 1962, as Benfica beat Real Madrid.

8 goals -- Ronaldo, Brazil, 2002. Ronaldo was nicknamed "The Phenomenon" by the Italian press when he joined Internazionale in 1997. Blessed with lightning pace, great upper body strength, quick feet, a powerful shot and an eye for the goal, Ronaldo is a defender's nightmare. Returned from three years of injury to guide Brazil to a 2-0 win over Germany in last year's World Cup final. Has 45 goals in 64 games for Brazil so far.

 

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