The family of Just Fontaine has announced his demise at 89, according to a statement made to AFP on Wednesday.

Fontaine, who holds the record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup finals with 13 goals, achieved this feat during the 1958 finals in Sweden, where France made it to the semi-finals for the first time in their history before losing to Pele's Brazil.

Fontaine was part of a formidable attacking trio at the World Cup, playing alongside Roger Piantoni and Raymond Kopa.

His inclusion in the squad and starting line-up may not have been possible, but for the injuries sustained by fellow forwards Thadee Cisowski and his Reims teammate Rene Bliard.

Despite the circumstances that led to his selection, Fontaine's impressive performance at the 1958 World Cup has left an indelible mark in football history.

Fontaine also won four French league titles, one with Nice and three with the great Reims side of the post-war era.

He played in the Reims team that lost to the Real Madrid of Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Raymond Kopa in the 1959 European Cup final.

Fontaine was then forced to retire in 1962 at just 28 after he suffered a double leg fracture.

He later moved into management, lasting just two matches in charge of France in 1967 before leading Paris Saint-Germain to promotion to the top division in 1974 and then coaching Morocco to third place at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.

AFP