Raymond Kopa
French footballer (1931–2017)
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Key Takeaways
- Raymond Kopa (né Kopaszewski ; 13 October 1931 – 3 March 2017) was a French professional footballer, integral to the France national team of the 1950s.
- Considered one of the greatest players of all-time, Kopa was a forward or an attacking midfielder who was quick, agile and known for his dribbling, playmaking, and prolific scoring.
- In 1970, he became the first football player to receive the Legion of Honour.
- Early life Kopa was born to a family of Polish immigrants.
- They then migrated to France after the First World War.
Raymond Kopa (né Kopaszewski; 13 October 1931 – 3 March 2017) was a French professional footballer, integral to the France national team of the 1950s. At club level he was part of the legendary Real Madrid team of the 1950s, winning three European Cups.
Considered one of the greatest players of all-time, Kopa was a forward or an attacking midfielder who was quick, agile and known for his dribbling, playmaking, and prolific scoring. In 1958, Kopa was awarded the Ballon d'Or. In 1970, he became the first football player to receive the Legion of Honour. In 2004, Pelé named him one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony.
Early life
Kopa was born to a family of Polish immigrants. His grandparents were originally from Kraków and migrated to Germany, where his parents were born. They then migrated to France after the First World War.
His surname was shortened to Kopa from Kopaszewski while he was at school. He acquired French nationality at his majority in 1952. At the age of 14, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and brother by working in the coal mines of Nœux-les-Mines. During this time Kopa lost a finger in a mining accident.
Personal life
Kopa married Christiane, the sister of a teammate of his at Angers. After retiring from the game he launched his own sportswear brand, eventually settling in Corsica. Kopa died in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, on 3 March 2017, aged 85.
Kopa was mentored by Paul Sinibaldi. Sinibaldi was the godfather to Kopa's son.
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