SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 38 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

France and Real Madrid legend Raymond Kopa dies, aged 85

:Headline: France and Real Madrid legend Raymond Kopa dies, aged 85: ID:292980: from db_amp
Raymond Kopa, a former Real Madrid attacking midfielder who became the first French player to win the Ballon d'Or, dies at the age of 85.

France and Real Madrid legend Raymond Kopa has died at the age of 85.

A graceful attacking midfielder, Kopa won three consecutive European Cups with Los Blancos between 1957 and 1959, as well as two Spanish league titles.

He was the first Frenchman to be awarded the Ballon d'Or, finishing ahead of Germany's Helmut Rahn and compatriot Just Fontaine in 1958.

Capped by Les Bleus 45 times, Kopa scored 18 goals for his country and helped them reach the 1958 World Cup semi-finals.

The president of the French Football Federation, Noel le Graet, said: "The passing of Raymond Kopa plunges the federation into immense sadness. It's a terrible loss for French football. Raymond Kopa is among the legends.

"Everyone has and will keep in their memory his exploits which will remain unequalled. He was a player and a man of unique class. I send my most sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Kopa joined Real in 1956 after losing to them with French side Reims in the European Cup final, before returning there three years later and staying until his retirement in 1967.

amp_article__292980 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-03-03 14:10:04:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 15:00:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Raymond Kopa

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .