Real Madrid and France great Raymond Kopa dies at age of 85

Raymond Kopa, first great French footballer on the world stage ahead of Michel Platini and then Zinedine Zidane, has died at 85. He was born at Noeux-les-Mines on October 13, 1931

Kopa won three consecutive European Cups with Real 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.

Nicknamed by an English journalist as the “Napoleon of football,” Kopa was the son of Polish immigrants, family name Kopaszewski, who travelled west in search of work in the mining industry in the north of France.

Capped by France 45 times, he scored 18 goals for his country and reached 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.

Kopa joined Real in 1956, after losing to them with French side Reims in the European Cup final.

He returned to Reims in 1959 and stayed until his retirement in 1967. #RIPRaymondKopa