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Raymond Kopa (born October 13, 1931 in
Nœux-les-Mines, France), né Raymond Kopaszewski,
was a France|French soccer|football player of
Poland|Polish descent, integral to the France
national football team|French national teams of
the 1950's.

This son of Polish immigrants began his
professional career at 17 with SCO Angers, and was
transferred two years later to Stade de Reims,
with whom he won French championships in 1953 and
1955.  With Reims, he was a finalist in the first
Champions League final in 1956, losing to Real
Madrid and Alfredo di Stefano 4-3.  He was
transferred to Real Madrid the subsequent season,
where he was soon joined by Ferenc Puskas. 
Champion of Spain in 1957 and 1958, Kopa became,
with Real Madrid, the first French player to win
the Champions League.  He would go on to win again
in 1958 and 1959, the last against Stade de Reims
and Just Fontaine.

Kopa returned to France in the 1959-60 season to
finish his career with Reims, where he won
Championnats in 1960 and 1962.  In total, he
scored 75 goals in 346 matches in the Ligue 1, and
was given the Ballon d'or by France Football in
1958.

With the France national football team, he scored
18 goals in 45 games between 1952 and 1962.  He
played in the Football World Cup 1958|1958 World
Cup in Sweden, where the French team finished
third, losing to the Brazil national football
team|Brazilian team and Pelé.    

He was named by Pelé as one of the FIFA 100|top
125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.