The French soccer federation confirmed his death but did not cite a cause. French President Francois Hollande said Mr. Kopa was “one of the most admired sportsmen in France.”Small in stature like the French emperor, Mr. Kopa earned the “Napoleon” nickname after an incredible performance with France in a 2-1 win over Spain in 1955. In 1958, Real Madrid's French soccer player Raymond Kopa (R) in action during a soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. The first big star of French soccer, he was part of the great Real Madrid team that dominated Europe at the end of the 1950s, playing alongside Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. Crowned after Stanley Matthews and Di Stefano, Mr. Kopa won the Ballon d’Or 25 years before Michel Platini secured it three years in a row.

Source: Washington Post March 06, 2017 00:56 UTC