Raymond Kopa

Raymond Kopa , of his true name Raymond Kopaszewski (known as Koppita for the inhabitants of Madrid), is a Football French or born with Nœux-the-Mines (Pas-de-Calais) the October 13rd 1931.

Biography

This sons of Polish minor works at the bottom of the mines during its adolescence, losing even a finger there. Its future is very traced… but football enters the part. Exceptionally gifted as of his childhood, Raymond shines with Nœux-the-Mines and finishes in particular second of the Concours of the young footballer 1949. Located by SCO Angers, Raymond pointed out there by Albert Batteux which makes it transfer to the Stade from Rheims. Kopa consequently becomes the relay of Batteux on the ground.

Raymond Kopa is the figurehead of the “Great” Stage of Rheims. It collects trophies and honors with the Champagne club and knows also its first selections in team of France (1952). The licked play of Kopa is quickly located by the largest clubs of the continent which dispute its services then. The challenge of the leaders rémois becomes complicated especially after the match disputed by the team of France vis-a-vis in Spain where Kopa is dazzling. At the conclusion of this meeting, Kopa inherits the nickname of Napoleon under the impulse of the English journalist Desmond Hackett (Daily Express), because also of its small gauge. The Champagne president Henri Germain yields finally in 1956 in front of an offer which does not refuse a Real Madrid. The Milan AC, inter alia, was also on the rows.

For his beginnings with Real Madrid, Raymond disputes a friendly match of prestige vis-a-vis the Brazilian ones of Vasco de Gama. Real is essential 4-2 and Kopa marks two goals. Among the stars of Real, Kopa really does not suffer from the comparison. It gains the European gold balloon besides 1958 with the nose and the beard of Alfredo Di Stefano, winner in 1957 and 1959. Kopa remains the only player to date to have appeared four consecutive seasons among the three first of the classification of the gold Balloon: 3rd in 1956 and 1957, 1st in 1958 then 2nd in 1959.

First victorious French of the Cut of Europe of the clubs champions after the failure of the Stage of Rheims in 1956, Raymond removes with Real the editions 1957, 1958 and 1959.

In withdrawal of the team of France since her arrival in Spain, Kopa disputes finally with Blue the Swedish World cup of 1958. It is then indicated Meilleur player of the competition , where France finishes third. He does not play then during the 1st championship of Europe of the Nations, organized in France in 1960, between Paris and Marseilles.

Afterwards many adventures, Raymond joined finally Stage of Rheims in 1959. It completes its career of high-level there by drawing its reverence in 1964. Kopa is recycled then in various commercial businesses, but he likes so much to play football, that he continues his practice as veterans in the Maine-et-Loire. At 42 years, he is even contacted by the Paris Saint-Germain to come to reinforce the club in D2 then. Kopa declines the offer, but nevertheless takes part in a friendly match of preparation with the PSG vis-a-vis Saumur the August 29th 1973: it marks three goals!

Dazzling ball with the foot, Raymond Kopa was also a man of character. He thus carried out with his friend Just Fontaine a very hard battle against the authorities of football in order to set up the contracts in time for the players. Until the end of the Years 1960, the football players are properties of the clubs with life! The famous tirade “the footballers are slaves” still resounds in all the memories. Under the pressure of men decided like Kopa and Fontaine, a true trade union of the players was born (UNFP today), and the contract in time was applied.

Raymond Kopa is made knight of the Légion of honor in 1970 for the whole of his career, where only will have missed, much to its regret, a national cut. He is to date the only French to have played six finales of European cuts, by gaining five, into 1953,1955,1957 to 2 recoveries, 1958 and 1959.

He recently made publish an autobiography: Kopa by Raymond Kopa (with Patrice Burchkalter) with the editions Jacob Duvernet (2006). With also reading: of Paul Katz Kopa, my football , ED. Calmann-Levy (1972) and of Bernard Verret Raymond Kopa, of yesterday and today , ED. CAP (1980), like its first autobiography published in the 27 years age and prefaced by Albert Batteux: Raymond Kopa - My matches and my life , Paris, ED. Pierre Horay (1958).

Prize list

In club

With personal capacity

  • Balloon of gold: 1958 (1st French; second in 1959, third in 1956 and 1957).
  • Champion of the French champions the Team in 1955 and 1958.
  • Better player of the World cup 1958.
  • Star of gold France Football in D1 in 1959 - 1960.
  • Named with the FIFA 100 (Signal 125 of the best alive players of all times) in 2004.
  • Third French player of the century in the classification the Team in 2000.

  • Named twice in an international selection: 1955 vis-a-vis in England in the team of the Continent; 1963 always vis-a-vis in England in the team of the Rest of the world.

  • 45 selections in team of France, 18 goals, 6 times captain, of 1952 with 1962.
  • Third of the World cup 1958 with the team of France.

  • 75 goals in 346 matches of D1 Frenchwoman.

  • Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (first footballer): the November 30th 1970.

  • In April 2007, it is promoted Officer of the Legion of Honor.

Media

  • Consultant in France Inter for the World cups 1978 and 1982.

  • Consultant with RMC for the World cup 1986.

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