French football icon Just Fontaine has passed away aged 89. OGC Nice will pay tribute to their former player (1953-’56) at Friday’s game with Auxerre.

It was with OGC Nice that one of the great names of French football first scored his goals in the professional game. Born in Marrakech in 1933, Just Fontaine crossed the Mediterranean aged 20, and his talents were spotted by Mario Zatelli at US Marocaine. He went on to make 83 appearances for OGC Nice, scoring 52 goals including a five-goal haul in a 6-1 defeat of Lens in January 1954. It took 60 years until that record was equalled by Carlos Eduardo. Fontaine would lead the club to its second Coupe de France win in 1954, just two years after they had won their first.

He also made his France debut as a Nice player in December 1953. He broke all records with Les Bleus, scoring 30 times in just 21 international appearances, and set a World Cup final tournament record of 13 goals in 1958. “I was in great form,” he said with a smile in 2014 when he also spoke of his attachment to the club where he made his name.

The Gym’s leading scorer in 1954/55 (20 goals), Fontaine was key to the club claiming a third French league title in 1956 under Luis Carniglia. It was that summer he joined Stade de Reims with whom he played in the 1959 European Cup final and won even more trophies: three French titles, a Coupe de France, and a pair of Trophée des champions.

The club will play homage to their former player when AJ Auxerre visit the Allianz Riviera on Friday (kick-off 9pm CET).

WHEN "JUSTO" REUNITED WITH PANCHO

Just Fontaine was centre stage to celebrate 110 years of the club’s founding in September 2014 when he met fans at the Café des Aiglons, gave the ceremonial kick-off to the game against Lille, and met up with his former teammate Pancho Gonzalez.

IN PICTURES: JUST FONTAINE AT OGC NICE

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Collection M. Oreggia