The son of Polish migrants, Kopa almost followed his father into a mining career and only escaped after an accident left him with a damaged hand.
Instead, Kopa was to become France's greatest player prior to Michel Platini, and a member of Real Madrid's great multiple European Cup-winning side of the late 1950s.
Kopa's finest performances for Les Bleus came at the 1958 finals in Sweden where he played alongside Just Fontaine as France scorched a path to the semifinals and then crushed West Germany 6-3 to claim third place.
While Fontaine scored the goals -- his 13 are still are a tournament best -- Kopa was the true star. Although he contributed only three goals it was his beguiling skills that provided the ammunition for his prolific teammate and it was Kopa, rather than Fontaine, who was rewarded with the European Footballer of the Year prize.
Kopa had previously appeared at the 1954 finals in Switzerland, although a late penalty in France's final first round game against Mexico was his only contribution.
