Compared to those who have vainly chased his tournament record for the past 68 years, Fontaine is a relative unknown to modern audiences. While Pele, Messi et al are rightly regarded as the best male players ever, Fontaine is now a piece of trivia.

But that is to play down the remarkable life and career of Fontaine – who, if he were playing in the modern day, would have represented a different country.

The 2026 quarter-final between France and Morocco was the Just Fontaine derby. He was born in Marrakesh in August 1933 – at the time, Morocco was a French protectorate.

Morocco gained independence two years before the 1958 World Cup, but by that time Fontaine was an established international footballer playing in the French leagues – so he represented Les Bleus.

And, as sports journalist and historian Philip Barker explained to BBC Sport, had all gone to plan for France, Fontaine would not have been starting games at the World Cup in Sweden at all.

“He was not actually first choice – a team-mate [Rene Bliard] got injured in a warm-up game,” explains Barker. “It was such a last-minute change, he had to borrow boots [from team-mate Stephane Bruey] for the opening game as he didn’t have any to fit him.

“Imagine something like that now, so very different to what we have today.

“Fontaine had an operation on his meniscus [cartilage in his knee] during the season, so he had been a doubt for the tournament. But it meant he came to the tournament fresh – a lot of the other players had had a long hard season.”

Northern Ireland’s largest squad heading to the Games comes in swimming with 15 athletes going to Glasgow.

The headline name is Olympic 800m gold medallist Daniel Wiffen. The 24-year-old will compete in his second Commonwealth Games and will look to go one better than Birmingham four years ago when he won silver in the 1500m.

Wiffen, who also won bronze in the 1500m in Paris, will compete in 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle in Glasgow.

He will come up against good friend Jack McMillan in the 400m. The 26-year-old was part of Team GB’s relay team that claimed Olympic gold in Paris.

McMillan will compete in 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle and potentially the men’s relay team in his second Games after he finished 11th in the 100m in Birmingham.

Danielle Hill returns for her fourth Games after making her Commonwealth debut as a 14-year-old in 2014.

The two-time Olympian was a 2024 European champion in the 50m Backstroke and will take part in the 50m and 100m Backstroke as well as the 50m Freestyle.

Ellie McCartney is preparing for her first Games after winning two gold medals and a bronze at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old will feature in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke and the 200m Individual Medley.

Conor Ferguson is back at the Games after reaching two finals in 2018. The 26-year-old, who made his Olympic debut in Paris, missed 2022 in Birmingham but returns for the 50m Backstroke in Glasgow.

Lotte Cullen is gearing up for a first Commonwealth Games where she will compete in the 100m and 200m Backstroke.

The 21-year-old who was born to an Irish father and a Malaysian mother, grew up in Ipoh, Malaysia, before moving to Northern Ireland at the age of 10.

Grace Davison has been selected for her second Games and will take part in the 100m and 200m Freestyle as well as the 100m and 200m Backstroke.

The 18-year-old won a gold and bronze medal at 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games and made her Olympic debut in 2024.

Northern Ireland will also be represented in four relays. The women’s 4x100m freestyle, the men’s and women’s 4x100m medley relays and the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

Adam Bradley, Matthew Hamilton, Paddy Johnston, Alana Burns Atkin, Victoria Catterson and Emily Hughes will be in line for selection and they will also compete in various individual events as well.

In para-swimming, six-time Paralympic gold medallist Bethany Firth is back at the Games aiming to defend her S14 200m Freestyle title that she won in Birmingham.

Barry McClements returns to the Games and will compete in the S9 100m Backstroke and S10 100m Fly.

The Newtonards man became the first swimmer to win a medal in the pool for Team NI in 2022 when he won bronze in the S9 100m Backstroke.

We have a busy day’s racing on Monday with action from Lingfield, Newton Abbot and Windsor, live on Sky Sports Racing…

7.50 Windsor – In-form duo Kalokalo and Cristo clash

Last time out winners Kalokalo and Cristo lock horns in the Find Us At Fitzdares.com Handicap.

Once progressive three-year-old, Cristo bounced back to form at Sandown when winning for the first time since May 2025.

He has appreciated the drop in trip to a mile, but he faces stiff opposition in the form of the progressive, more unexposed Kalokalo whom is yet to be out of the places this season.

The extremely eye-catching Rod Millman-trained Bold Impact could be primed for a big run after closing incredibly well at Ffos Las last time out and could upset the in-form duo with Oisin Murphy booked to ride.

5.40 Lingfield – Big Bear Hug and Senor Cortez headline competitive 10 runner handicap

A competitive running of the attheraces.com/marketmovers Handicap sees impressive all-weather winners Big Bear Hug and Senor Cortez headline.

Senor Cortez landed a gamble when winning impressively at Southwell last time; the manner in which he won suggests he could well still be ahead of his mark.

Big Bear Hug escapes a penalty for a surprise win at Kempton on Wednesday when overcoming a pace bias to win with quite a bit in hand. He seems to remain well-handicapped and seeks to find further improvement back up in trip.

Mister Daydream warrants serious respect after bolting up from a reduced mark at Lingfield just a week ago, and is bound to run a massive race, albeit up in grade.

Crackergee can back up his return to form at Ffos las last time out on a surface he has gone well on previously.

6.50 Windsor – Wathnan’s €450,000 breeze-up Blue Point colt headlines

11 novices’ clash in the Ambrose Loves Reggae EBF Novice Stakes.

The Karl Burke-trained €450,000 breeze-up colt by Blue Point, Market Leader, could possess enough quality to get off the mark at the first time of asking without a lofty standard set.

Note To Self retains the best form when running creditably in a respectable Newbury Novice.

Mehmas-colt Real Bullet could pose a threat for Oisin Murphy and George Boughey.

Best of the rest

5.20 Windsor – Impressive Goodwood winner Jaijai takes to nurseries.

5.50 Windsor – Eyecatching Levens Hall looks to get off the mark.

7.20 Windsor – Papa Cocktail and Amazonian Dream headline competitive sprint handicap.

8.20 Windsor – Silent City and Morcar clash.

6.10 Lingfield – Interesting newcomers oppose Ardad Steve and Aphra Behin.

7.10 Lingfield – Perfect Location attempts to go back-to-back.

2.42 Newton Abbot – Gore Point bids for a hat-trick.

4.42 Newton Abbot – Muskerry Rock attempts to get off the mark for the Skeltons.

5.15 Newton Abbot – Impressive bumper winners Park Hall and Thepassingtyphoon clash.