An English writer named Raymond Kopa as the "Napoleon of football." His fearsome dribbling at high speed, dry, sharp and unexpected burst into opposing defenses. He won everything in football and almost everything as a human being, leaving large phrases to remember: "If I were to give advice to young people only would be: love soccer as passionately as me and I'll be fine. It makes well what you love. " The story began in the late twenties, in a mining town in northern France, Noeux-Les-Mines, where he settled in search of prosperity and good future, Kopaszewski Polish family to work in mines. And there, in the harsh environment of tough miners, was born on October 13, 1931, a child who would develop, rather, to set brief, short stature, low weight and look weak, but with a physical agility and especially prodigious mental. It was the prototype of mine suffered, but as such went to work. Had to help. Two facts, however, mark a different direction to his life.
At 15, he suffered an accident that cost him a finger of his left hand, made him rethink the way they wanted to continue. This, coupled with his house was next to the stadium of the population, where the child consumed his free time playing soccer, were decisive. Well, these circumstances, in fact, it was discovered that allowed the small Kopa, and shortened their colleagues the complicated family name, was born to be an ace in world football. Since little surprised with the handling of the ball. Seemed to take his feet sewn on his usual evil races toward the opposing goal.
Champion with Stade de Reims
Soon
be small the first team of his people and in 1949 became the SCO Angers, where he spent two years. In 1951, Albert Bateux, responsible for Stade de Reims, then a star of French football team, I led the way to becoming the glory. Moved to 1,800,000 francs in the period and, by the hand of his mentor, was formed and stressing until 1956. In total he played 158 games, scored 48 goals and added more. He was French champion twice (1953 and 1955) and became the Copa America 1953 in Lisbon, against Milan. His fame spread across international borders despite his youth. For he wrote: "No one can stop him when infiltrated with short dribbles and millimeter. A year earlier, had made his debut for France against the Federal Republic of Germany with a 3-1 victory gala.
But that changed his life was the end of the first European Cup he played with Stade de Reims, in the Parc des Princes, on 13 June 1956, against Real Madrid. It was a memorable game, which had to be followed by radio, through the voice of Matias Prats, because then the TV was a dream impossible. The Stade de Reims took the lead twice, but eventually Di Stefano and his companions were imposed by an apotheosis 3-4. Don Santiago Bernabéu, beyond the joy of success, threw the eye on that little devil called Raymond Kopa ... and led to his Real Madrid.
Controversy with
Di Stefano was not easy to enter that Real Madrid, he disputed no less than the number 9 Di Stefano. The great Alfredo said: "The idea of \u200b\u200bthe Bernabeu when he was brought to play center forward and I inside or far right. We tried training, but everything went awry. I did not care because the center was the same. I was clear who was boss in the grass. " So Kopa played end and sometimes inside. Years later
football Napoleon referred to his stay Real Madrid as "a joy to create game without hermetic ideas, imagination ... and take your team to Alfredo Di Stefano was like wearing parachute when flying. Alfredo was a phenomenon, perhaps the best ever." In any case, Kopa was part of one of the front mythical football history, recited from memory by the privileged contemporaries who had the pleasure of seeing them play: Kopa, Rial, Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento. Three seasons
was in Real Madrid triumph. They won two league titles (1956-57 and 1957-58) and three European Cups. In 1957, at the Bernabeu, the Whites won the final 2-0 to Fiorentina in 1958, Brussels, Milan and in 1959 in Stuttgart, his beloved Stade de Reims 2-0. With this party shut your stay at Real Madrid, which had begun following the final between the same sets in the Parc des Princes, and had finished with the same party three years and three European Cups later. In his farewell
suffered a serious injury, but remained in the field to prevent the mother stayed with ten. Quite a gesture. The lineup was: Dominguez, Marquitos, Santamaria, Zarraga, Santiesteban, A. Ruiz, Kopa, Mateos, Di Stefano, Rial and Gento.
In 1958 he won the Golden Ball ahead of Di Stefano and the legendary English Matthews, whom the British Crown granted a knighthood and in 1959, after his third European Cup, Santiago Bernabéu wanted to renew for five years, with a tempting financial offer, but Raymond decided to return to France . The recovery of his serious injury, together with his son had died of cancer and perhaps the pressure of playing in competition with Di Stefano made him change course. He explained: "Businesses in France had claimed me as well my wife did not adapt to English life ever." Real Madrid played 103 games and scored 30 goals. Back to
Stade de Reims
Returning to France in 1959, he returned to his Stade de Reims, with whom he played for eight years, six in the First Division and two in second. Finally, 31 years, decided to retire from professional football and go about their business. But his physique and his mind is still war and asked him put his effort, his work and his passion, football, playing as an amateur in the Notre Dame des Champs.
In 1963, before leaving professional football, had the opportunity to receive a farewell to the world. He was part of the selection of the Rest of the World, met England at Wembley. The final result was 2-1 in favor the British.
Past results of Kopa
Throughout his life Raymond Kopa played on the following computers: Noeux-Les-Mines, SCO Angers, Stade de Reims, Real Madrid, the new Stade de Reims and as amateur Notre Dame Des Champs. Was four times champion of France, twice champion of Spain and three times European champion, won the Golden Ball and was honored by the French government with the Legion of Honor. In total he played 385 games, 45 of them with the France team, scoring 103 goals. Without doubt, we are talking about world records crack.
Pele said: "Playing football is the simplest in the world. You only need to play. "Raymond Kopa can subscribe, but when asked, what had been done in the case of participation in football today?, Says," is so professionalized that disgusting. "Kopa, the Napoleon of football ; genius and figure.
Source: Don Ball
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