Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Raymond Kopa is the kind of footballer I find genuinely inspiring. The son of a Polish mining family, standing only 168 cm, he climbed all the way to Real Madrid's golden side and a Ballon d'Or by outthinking bigger men rather than overpowering them. That triumph of intelligence and craft over physique is what I value most in any athlete. France ultimately honored him with the Legion of Honour, a fitting recognition for someone who turned humble beginnings into greatness. He passed in 2017, but the image of a small man chasing an enormous dream still resonates. A true hero of the game.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Raymond Kopa
- Name (Japanese)
- レイモン・コパ
- Reading
- れいもん・こぱ
- Born
- October 13, 1931 – March 3, 2017
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Goat
- Origin
- Nœux-les-Mines, Pas-de-Calais, France
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 168 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- association football player
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 2007 Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Ballon d'Or
- 1958 L'Équipe Champion of Champions
- 1970 Knight of the Legion of Honour
- 2010 UEFA President's Award
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Raymond Kopa born?
October 13, 1931 – March 3, 2017.
Where is Raymond Kopa from?
Raymond Kopa is from Nœux-les-Mines, Pas-de-Calais, France.
What does Raymond Kopa do?
Raymond Kopa works as association football player.
How tall is Raymond Kopa?
Raymond Kopa is 168 cm.
Association football player — see all → · More people from France →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.