Former France Star Raymond Kopa To Receive UEFA President's Award
Posted by admin on Friday 4 February 2011
Former France star Raymond Kopa will be handed the UEFA President's award at the weekend.
Former France star Raymond Kopa is set to receive the UEFA President's award from Michel Platini during a ceremony at Stade de Reims on Saturday.
Kopa started his professional career with Angers and joined Stade de Reims in 1951. The gifted attacker helped Reims to two French league titles before moving on to Real Madrid, where he won two Spanish league titles and three European Cups.
The former France international ended his career with Stade de Reims in 1967.
"It is a very great honour for me to receive this award this year. Firstly, because I am the first Frenchman to be given this honour," the 79-year-old Kopa was quoted as saying on the official UEFA website.
"And secondly, because this distinction comes from UEFA – an organisation which has always worked on behalf of the well-being of football – this king of sports which has made such a contribution to bringing together the nations which form the old continent of Europe."
Kopa is only the fourth player to receive the UEFA President's award. Alfredo di Stefano, Bobby Charlton and Eusebio previously received the award, which focuses particularly on 'the true protagonists – the players – who have advanced the sport's development and success'.
