Former Real Madrid playmaker Raymond Kopa – the first French player to win the Ballon d’Or – has died aged 85.
The son of Polish immigrants, Kopa played with Angers before joining Reims – where he spent most of his career – and also won three European Cups with Real Madrid, the last against Reims.
“The passing of Raymond Kopa plunges the federation into immense sadness,” said Noel Le Graet, the president of the French football federation in a statement.
“It’s a terrible loss for French football. Raymond Kopa is among the legends. He was a symbolic player and a fore-runner. His career with his clubs, as with the France team, was exceptional.
“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 scored 18 times for France across 45 caps before his retirement in 1967.
