His second spell at the club resulted in nearly 250 games and a further 36 goals. However the glory days were coming to an end and in 1966, as Kopa's career was drawing to a close, they were relegated. They returned by winning the second division championship. It was to be his last major award before retiring in 1967.
His honours total speaks volumes for this legend of French football.
He won:
• 4 French League Titles 1953, 1955, 1960, 1962 (and 1 Second Division Title, 1966) with Stade Reims
• 2 Spanish Titles with Real Madrid (1957, 1958)
• 3 European Cups with Real Madrid (1957, 1958, 1959) he was also runner up with Stade Reims in 1956 and therefore played in four consecutive finals.
• 2 Latin Cups (one each with Reims - 1953- and Real Madrid - 1957) he was also runner up in 1955 whilst still with Reims
Three years after he retired from playing, Kopa was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, a French order established by Napoleon. It was a huge honour, unheard of for a footballer and particularly so as it was awarded to one who had come from a Polish immigrant family. He was the first footballer ever, to be awarded the medal.
He is now aged 77 and is acknowledged of one France's greatest ever players.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
Yup. He's right up there with Just Fontaine (scorer of a never-to-be-emulated 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup finals), Michel Platini and the incomparable Zinedine Zidane.