Michel Platini Explained

Michel Platini
Order:6th
Office:President of UEFA
Term Start:26 January 2007
Term End:21 December 2015
Predecessor:Lennart Johansson
Successor:Ángel María Villar (acting)
Aleksander Čeferin
Birth Name:Michel François Platini[1]
Birth Date:21 June 1955[2]
Birth Place:Jœuf, France
Height:1.79 m
Occupation:Footballer
Manager
Football administrator
Module:
Embed:yes
Header-Color:lavender
Position:Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:1966–1972
Youthclubs1:AS Jœuf
Youthyears2:1972
Youthclubs2:Nancy
Years1:1972–1979
Clubs1:Nancy
Caps1:181
Goals1:98
Years2:1979–1982
Clubs2:Saint-Étienne
Caps2:104
Goals2:58
Years3:1982–1987
Clubs3:Juventus
Caps3:147
Goals3:68
Totalcaps:432
Totalgoals:224
Nationalyears1:1975–1976
Nationalteam1:France Olympic
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalyears2:1976–1987
Nationalteam2:France[3]
Nationalcaps2:72
Nationalgoals2:41
Nationalyears3:1988
Nationalteam3:Kuwait[4]
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:1988–1992
Managerclubs1:France

Michel François Platini (pronounced as /fr/; born 21 June 1955) is a French football administrator and former player and manager. Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984 and 1985,[5] and came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.[6] In recognition of his achievements, he was named a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in 1985 and became an Officier in 1998. As the president of UEFA in 2015 he was banned from involvement in football under FIFA's organisation, over ethics violations. The ban lasted until 2023.

During his career, Platini played for the clubs Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus. Nicknamed Le Roi (The King) for his ability and leadership, he was a prolific goalscorer; he won the Serie A capocannoniere award three consecutive times between 1983 and 1985, and was the top scorer of Juventus's victorious 1984–85 European Cup campaign.[7] Platini was a key player of the France national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top scorer and best player, and reached the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Together with midfielders Alain Giresse, Luis Fernández and Jean Tigana, he formed the carré magique (magic square) of the French team in the 1980s. Platini was his country's record goalscorer until 2007, and held the record for most goals scored (9) in the European Championship until being surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021, despite only appearing in the 1984 tournament.[7]

Following his retirement as a player, Platini was the France national team coach from 1988 to 1992, and was the co-organizer of the 1998 World Cup in France. In 2007, he became the first former player to be elected as the president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). He also held the positions of chairman of FIFA's Technical and Development Committee and vice-president of the French Football Federation.

Early career

Born in Jœuf, in the Lorraine region, Platini is the son of Aldo and Anna (née Piccinelli), both of Italian ancestry. Anna's family has its roots in the province of Belluno, while Aldo's father, Francesco Platini, was an immigrant from Agrate Conturbia, in the province of Novara, and settled in France shortly after the end of the First World War.[8] Aldo was a professional footballer and a long-time director for AS Nancy, the club where Michel started his professional career.

After performing poorly in the final of a 1969 young footballers' competition, Michel Platini attracted attention at 16 years of age in a Coupe Gambardella tournament match with an impressive display for Jœuf juniors against a Metz junior side. Platini was called up for a trial with Metz, but missed out on the opportunity due to injury, and was not immediately invited back after the Metz coach moved to another club. He returned to regional league football with Jœuf. Another trial at Metz went horribly wrong when a breathing test on a spirometer caused Platini to faint. The doctor's verdict on Platini's breathing difficulties and weak heart ended any hopes Platini had of playing for his boyhood favorites. He then joined the reserve side of his father's club Nancy in September 1972, and became friends with team goalkeeper Jean-Michel Moutier.

Club career

Nancy (1972–1979)

Platini was quick to make a big impression at his new club, scoring a hat-trick in a reserve team match against Wittelsheim. Further outstanding displays put him in contention for a place in the Nancy first team. His introduction to the first-team squad was inauspicious. On the substitutes' bench for a match against Valenciennes, Platini was spat on and hit by various objects thrown from the crowd when a fight broke out in the stands. Playing for the reserves a few days later, a hefty challenge from an opponent left Platini with a bad ankle injury. His season would finish on a more positive note, and he would go on to make his league debut against Nîmes on 3 May 1973.

In March 1974, he suffered a setback when he sustained a double fracture of his left arm in a match at OGC Nice. Platini missed the remainder of the season as a result, unable to assist Nancy in an unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation from Ligue 1. The following season saw Nancy win promotion back to the French first division with ease. Platini became the team's most important player, scoring 17 goals, a number of which were scored from free-kicks, as was becoming Platini's specialty. Saint-Étienne, the then reigning French league champions, were knocked out of the French Cup with two goals from Platini free-kicks. Platini practised his free-kicks with the help of his friend, goalkeeper Moutier, and using a row of dummies to form a defensive wall of sorts.

With Nancy back in Ligue 1, Platini's military service reduced his availability for matches, but he continued to make himself available to play when possible. In a match away to Laval, Platini, angered by the taunts of the home supporters, scored a hat-trick, but unluckily sustained another injury. Press reports claimed that Platini's season was over and that he would require a knee operation, but neither claim proved to be correct. Instead, Platini returned to first-team football two weeks later for Nancy's French Cup semi-final against Marseille at the Parc des Princes. Platini headed the only Nancy goal in their 4–1 loss and was forced to leave the field injured. Following his participation in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Platini signed a two-year contract with Nancy, his first professional contract.

Before travelling to Argentina for the World Cup, Platini won the first major trophy of his playing career, captaining Nancy to victory in the 1978 French Cup final against Nice and scoring the only goal of the game. President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing presented him with the trophy. However, with the World Cup scheduled to start two weeks after the cup final, there was little time left for preparation.

Although Platini was not disgraced by his performances at his first World Cup, fans held him responsible for the French team's failure to progress in the tournament, and in the season that followed he was a target of jeering crowds. The situation came to a head in a match away to Saint-Étienne. Spurred on by booing fans, Platini competed for every ball, and he picked up a bad ankle injury in a tackle. As a result, he was ruled out of Nancy's Cup Winners' Cup campaign. His contract with the club expired in June 1979, and Internazionale, Paris Saint-Germain, and Saint-Étienne emerged as the clubs most likely to sign him, although the Nancy club president had been unwilling to let Platini leave the club. Having set his mind on a transfer to Saint-Étienne, he signed a three-year contract with les Verts.

In spite of his injuries and the boos that would greet him, Platini maintained his pranksterish sense of humour. On away trips, he would set off firecrackers in public places and then pretend to be dead, inevitably drawing a crowd. While in Argentina for the World Cup, he would squeeze tubes of toothpaste into his teammates' beds.

Saint-Étienne (1979–1982)

Platini's three years at Saint-Étienne were a mixed success. The club had signed him with a view to success in the European Cup, but despite some excellent results (including a 6–0 win over PSV in the 1979–80 UEFA Cup and a 5–0 win at Hamburger SV in the UEFA Cup the following season), the club were unable to surpass the feats of the Saint-Étienne side that had reached the final of the 1976 European Cup.

Platini won the French league title in 1981 with Les Verts, but was on a losing Saint-Étienne side in two French Cup finals, against Bastia in 1981 and against Paris Saint-Germain in 1982, in what was his last match for the club before joining Juventus. He left for a nominal transfer fee (under UEFA regulations) despite being out of contract and no fee being necessary under French regulations at the time.[9]

Juventus (1982–1987)

At Juventus, Platini inherited the number 10 shirt from the recently departed Liam Brady.[10] [11] In a team featuring numerous members of Italy's victorious World Cup squad, Platini had a difficult introduction to Italian football. He was a target in the demanding Italian sports media, and even came close to leaving Italy in the winter of his first season. Platini and teammate Zbigniew Boniek successfully called for a change in tactics, and in the second half of the season Juventus saw an upturn in their fortunes. They reached the European Cup final, losing to Hamburger SV, but won the Italian Cup, the first of many club honours to follow for Platini in the coming seasons.He won the Serie A title with Juventus in 1984 and 1986, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1984 (setting up Vignola's opening goal in the Turin club's 2–1 victory over Porto in the final of the competition),[12] [13] the 1984 European Super Cup, the European Cup in 1985 and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup. He finished top scorer in Serie A for three consecutive seasons (1982–83, 1983–84, and 1984–85), and won a hat-trick of European Footballer of the Year awards (1983 through 1985). He was also voted Player of the Year by World Soccer magazine in 1984 and 1985.The 1985 European Cup final against Liverpool at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels should have been the crowning moment of Platini's Juventus career, but was instead overshadowed by the Heysel Stadium disaster in which 39 people died, and 600 more were injured. It was decided to proceed with the match in order to avoid inciting any further trouble, and after both captains had appealed for calm, the match began just under an hour and a half beyond schedule, with riot police still engaged in a pitched battle with Juventus fans. Platini scored the only goal of the match from a penalty kick, which had been controversially awarded for a foul just outside the area on Zbigniew Boniek, after the Frenchman had met his run behind the defence towards goal with a long ball.[14] In the days following the final, Platini was criticised in some quarters for his lack of restraint in celebrating Juventus' win. In his own defence, Platini maintained that he had not been made fully aware of the scale of the disaster. In the 1985 Intercontinental Cup final against Argentinos Juniors, Platini scored from a penalty during regulation time, also having another goal disallowed, and later assisted Michael Laudrup's equaliser; he subsequently netted the match-winning penalty in the resulting shoot-out, and was named Man of the Match.[15] [16] [17] Following the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Platini spent another season at Juventus before retiring from football in June 1987.

International career

Having first attracted the attention of national team selectors in the Coupe Gambardella tournament, Platini was selected for the French junior team, but injuries prevented him from playing. He made his first appearance for a French national selection playing for the French amateur side on 26 September 1973.

Platini began his military service in summer 1975. He was assigned to the Joinville battalion, as were all talented French sportspeople fulfilling their military obligations. His colleagues in the battalion included his Nancy teammates Olivier Rouyer and Jean-Michel Moutier, as well as Maxime Bossis, soon to become a regular in the French national team along with Platini. Platini would turn out for the French military team, in addition to representing the French under-23s and the French Olympic team. He impressed in the Olympic team's 4–0 win over Romania in Brest, a result made even more impressive by the fact that Romania had fielded a full international side for the Olympic qualifier. Platini's performance made him a star in France. The away leg of the qualifying tie was a mere formality, France coming away with a 1–1 draw. Three days after the draw in Bucharest, Platini received his first call-up to the national team for what was coach Michel Hidalgo's first game in charge, a friendly against Czechoslovakia in Paris (27 March 1976, 2–2), and scored his first goal with a trademark free kick.

1976 Olympics

Platini was a member of the French football team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Their tournament began on 19 July with a 4–1 win over Mexico. They registered another 4–1 win in their next match against Guatemala, with two goals from Platini. The French team completed the group stage with a draw against Israel, Platini scoring from a penalty. France progressed to the quarter-final stage, where they would face a full-strength East German team. France lost 4–0 and finished the match with nine men.

Prior to 1978 World Cup

With a 3–1 win over Bulgaria at the Parc des Princes on 16 November 1977, a match in which Platini excelled in the role of playmaker and scored with a strike from 30 yards, France secured qualification for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina for their first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1966. In the month following the decisive qualifying match, Platini finished third in the voting for the 1977 European Footballer of the Year.

Among the international friendlies France played in preparation for the World Cup, their match against Italy in Naples on 8 February 1978 (2–2) was particularly significant for Platini. With a number of scouts from Italian clubs in attendance, he was in excellent form. He beat Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff from two direct free-kicks, the first being ruled out because the referee had not blown his whistle. The re-taken free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall, but minutes later Platini had the ball in the Italian net from another free-kick. Zoff attempted to anticipate the flight of the ball by positioning himself on the left side of the goal, only for Platini to find the unguarded area of the net with his free-kick, leaving Zoff rooted to the spot. Platini's duels with Zoff and his performance in a match that was broadcast on Italian television made him well known in Italy. A number of clubs both in France (Paris Saint-Germain and Saint-Étienne) and across Europe (including Juventus, Internazionale, Napoli, Barcelona, Valencia, and Arsenal) began the clamour for Platini's services.[18]

1978 World Cup

In retrospect, this match may have been a Pyrrhic victory because Platini's brilliance drew the attention of Italy coach Enzo Bearzot, who devised a successful plan to contain him in a match-up that really mattered—the first round of the 1978 World Cup four months later. Platini was kept in check by Marco Tardelli's implacable marking and Italy won 2–1. Drawn in a difficult group with Italy as well as hosts (and eventual winners) Argentina, France's loss to the hosts in Buenos Aires effectively ensured their elimination; France did not survive the first round.

Road to Spain '82 and the World Cup

Platini was nonetheless made captain of the French national side after the World Cup and made the number 10 jersey his own. One of his trademark free-kicks helped France defeat the Netherlands 2–0 in Paris (18 November 1981) in a crucial qualifying match for the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

France unexpectedly reached the semifinals of the 1982 World Cup where they met West Germany in Seville for what proved to be one of the greatest matches in World Cup history. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher had collided with Patrick Battiston, leaving the Frenchman knocked-out cold, and the referee did not call a penalty, much to the anger of the French. With both sides level at 3–3 after extra time had been played (Platini having scored France's first goal of the game from a penalty) the match went to a penalty shoot-out which West Germany won 5–4.[19]

Euro '84

In 1984, Platini captained France to success in the European Championship on home soil. His individual impact on the tournament was huge with nine of France's 14 goals in just five games (the top goal scorer in Euro '84).

He scored the winner in France's opening match against Denmark, and scored two "perfect" hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia as France topped their first-round group with three wins out of three. In the dramatic semi-final in Marseille against Portugal, Platini scored the final goal of the match for a memorable 3–2 win in the last minute of extra time.

In the final against Spain at the Parc des Princes in Paris, he opened the scoring with a free kick-goal, helped by a monumental blunder from Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada. A second goal from Bruno Bellone in injury time at the end of the match secured France's first major title in international football.

Mexico '86

Suffering from groin pain and playing under injection, Platini was not in peak physical condition for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Nonetheless, he contributed two important goals. The first contributed to their 2–0 defeat of defending champions Italy at the Olimpico Stadium in Mexico City. The second came during the quarter-final match against Brazil in Guadalajara. After Careca scored for Brazil, Platini scored the equalizer, his 41st on his 31st birthday, which sent the game into a penalty shoot-out. France won 4–3, with Platini infamously sending his over the bar. This goal was to be the last of his international career. After losing a second World Cup semi-final in a row to West Germany in Guadalajara, France had to settle for third place. Platini did not take part in the 1982 or 1986 World Cup third-place matches.

Retirement

Platini made his last appearance for France on 29 April 1987, in a European Championship qualifier at home to Iceland, a few weeks before announcing his retirement from all football. In 72 appearances for France from 1976 to 1987, including 49 appearances as captain, Platini scored 41 times, a record for the French national team, which has since only been surpassed by two men: Thierry Henry, after scoring his 42nd and 43rd national team goals against Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on 17 October 2007, and Olivier Giroud, who scored his 41st and 42nd goals for France in a 7–1 friendly victory over Ukraine on 7 October 2020.

Kuwait

Platini's last match came on 27 November 1988, when he came out of retirement for one day to play in an international friendly match representing Kuwait against the Soviet Union, at the request of the Kuwaiti Emir. Platini played a total of 21 minutes in the 2–0 loss to the Soviets. In doing so, Platini completed the rare feat of appearing for more than one country at full international level.[4]

Style of play

Platini is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, and is regarded as one of the finest passers in football history, as well as one of the best ever penalty kick and free kick specialists to have played the game.[7] [11] [20] [21] [22] A quick, versatile, elegant, and intelligent offensive midfield playmaker, with a unique ability to read the game and bend the ball from set pieces, he was renowned in particular for his ball control, technical ability, dribbling skills, creativity, range of passing, and vision, despite his lack of notable physical or athletic attributes.[7] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Although he primarily served as a creative midfielder, who operated in a more withdrawn playing role behind the strikers, and who mainly orchestrated attacking plays, provided assists, or created chances for teammates, Platini was also a prolific goalscorer. Due to his footballing intelligence, movement, and composure in front of goal, as well as his accurate finishing ability with either foot, as well as his head, despite being naturally right-footed, he was known for his ability to create attacking opportunities for himself by playing exchanges with his teammates until he was in a position from which he could receive the ball and score; indeed, he won several top-scoring awards throughout his career, both at club and international level, and is considered by pundits to be one of the best finishers of all time.[7] [11] [17] [27] [28]

When taking free kicks, Platini usually preferred to strike the ball from a distance of around 20 metres from the goal, with a direct kick which had not been touched by a teammate first; his unique free kick technique, which often involved him hitting the ball over the wall, influenced many other specialists, such as Alessandro Del Piero,[21] [29] and Andrea Pirlo.[30] Despite his talent, skill, and outstanding playing ability, Platini also drew criticism from his managers at times, due to his lack of stamina and poor defensive work-rate. Due to his leadership, dominance, and his technical, offensive, and creative attributes, as well as his ability to be a decisive player for his teams, he was given the nickname "Le Roi" ("The King", in French).[31] [25] [32] Moreover, Platini was known for his discipline on the pitch; indeed, in his extensive career, he was never sent off.[33]

Michel Platini's life and work are presented through an impressively extensive collection of sporting exhibits, honoured with two Guinness World Records, at the Michel Platini Museum located in the village of Mosfiloti, Cyprus.[34]

Coaching career

Platini was named coach of the French national side on 1 November 1988, replacing Henri Michel, who had been forced out after France infamously drew with Cyprus (1–1) in a 1990 World Cup qualifier. France's qualifying campaign was ultimately unsuccessful.

The focus of the team shifted to qualifying for the 1992 European Championship in Sweden. France excelled in the qualifying stages, winning all eight of their group matches, including notable victories away to Spain and Czechoslovakia. After a record 19-match unbeaten run, they were among the favourites to win the competition and Platini was named Manager of the Year by the World Soccer Awards. But a string of uninspiring performances in warm-up matches, followed by France's first-round elimination from the tournament, led Platini to step down as coach.

Administrative roles

Platini was, along with Fernand Sastre, head of the organizing committee for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, held in France. He served on the UEFA Technical Development Committee from 1988 to 1990. He has been a member of the UEFA Executive Committee and European member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 2002. He continued to climb the ranks of UEFA and FIFA football administration and in 2006, became a chairman of the FIFA Technical and Development Committee, while also being vice-president of the French Football Federation.

UEFA presidency

Platini confirmed that he would run for the UEFA presidency in July 2006.[35] In the election in Düsseldorf on 26 January 2007, he defeated Lennart Johansson, who held the post for the previous 16 years, by 27 votes to 23.[36] Platini based his speech on virtues of solidarity and universality.

In 2008, Platini backed the 6+5 idea, six home-grown players and five foreign players to be introduced in top-flight teams in Europe. Platini has also backed caps on wages, transfer spending – both absolute and as a fraction of club turnover – and foreign ownership of clubs. He has stated that he wants to reduce the number of Italian, Spanish, and English teams that participate in the UEFA Champions League to a maximum of three instead of four.[37] This hasn't happened yet, but instead for the 2009–10 season, different routes were created for champions of smaller countries and non-champions of bigger countries. He has also talked about banning clubs from the competition based on the debts of the clubs.[38] Among his more contentious claims is that international transfer of players under 18 is in fact a form of illegal "child trafficking" and should be prohibited by the EU. "Paying a child to kick a ball is not that different from paying a child to work [...] in a factory," said Platini to members of the European Parliament on 18 February 2009.[39]

FIFA presidential campaign

Following Sepp Blatter's announcement in June 2015 that he would resign from the post of FIFA president amid the ongoing corruption scandal,[40] [41] Platini announced in July that he would run for FIFA president in the 2016 special election.[42] However, on 7 January 2016, Platini announced that he would not be standing in the Fifa presidential election, saying: "The timing is not good for me. I don't have the means to fight on equal terms with the other candidates. […] Bye bye Fifa, bye bye Fifa presidency."[43]

Corruption

Following the ongoing corruption case, and after his announcement that in July he would run for FIFA president, Platini was also involved himself in the case. Swiss prosecutors accused FIFA president Sepp Blatter of making a "disloyal payment" of $2m (£1.6m) to Platini. Swiss attorney general,, stated: "We didn't interview Mr Platini as a witness, that's not true. We investigated against him in between as a witness and an accused person."[44] [45] Both Platini and Blatter were placed under formal investigation by FIFA's independent ethics committee in late September 2015.[46]

On 8 October 2015, Platini was provisionally suspended until 6 January 2016 from any football-related activity.[47] On 21 December, Platini and Blatter were both found guilty of ethics violations and barred from the sport until 2023.[48] The committee said Platini "did not show commitment to an ethical attitude" and lacked respect for laws and regulations of the organization.[49] [50] Platini boycotted the hearing, and said he planned to appeal the decision, declaring himself "at peace with my conscience."[51] [52] [53] [54] He appealed to Swiss courts, and to the European Court of Human Rights, but the courts rejected his appeals.[55]

Platini was also involved in the Greek public polemica regarding the 2015 Greek football scandal.[56] [57] [58]

In April 2016, Platini has been named in the Panama Papers.[59]

On 18 May 2018, Platini said that the 1998 FIFA World Cup draw was fixed to ensure France and Brazil could not face each other until the final if both teams won their groups.[60]

In June 2019, Platini was questioned over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.[61]

Health

On 9 July 2010, the day before the third place play-off of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Platini collapsed at a restaurant in the Michaelangelo Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. He was rushed to the Morningside Medi-Clinic with a suspected heart attack after having received first aid care by a Brazilian radio director who was sitting at a table next to him. He was attended to and discharged by cardiologist and former President of the South African Heart Association – Dr Leonard Steingo.[62] The official statement released by FIFA confirmed that Platini was discharged, stating that the UEFA President was "fine, and merely suffering from a bout of flu."[63] Platini was confirmed in attendance two days later at the final between Spain and Netherlands on the evening of 11 July.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nancy1972–73Division 14242
1973–74Division 121230242
1974–75Division 232176133830
1975–76Division 13122763828
1976–77Division 13825103925
1977–78Division 136181074625
1978–79Division 11912532415
Total181983229213127
Saint-Étienne1979–80Division 1331675754726
1980–81Division 13520105745229
1981–82Division 1362285204627
Total10458251516914582
Juventus1982–83Serie A301697954828
1983–84Serie A282073824325
1984–85Serie A30189497104929
1985–86Serie A30126163114317
1986–87Serie A2928142415
Total147683916361921224104
Career total4322249660522821582313

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[64]
National teamYearAppsGoals
France197654
197772
197864
197942
198065
198142
1982104
198341
19841013
198562
198692
198710
Total7241
Kuwait198810
Total10
Career total7341

Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Platini goal.

List of international goals scored by Michel Platini
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
127 March 1976Parc des Princes, Paris, France2–02–2Friendly
21 September 1976Idrætspark, Copenhagen, Denmark1–11–1Friendly
39 October 1976Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria1–02–21978 FIFA World Cup qualification
417 November 1976Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–01978 FIFA World Cup qualification
523 April 1977Charmilles Stadium, Geneva, Switzerland1–04–0Friendly
616 November 1977Parc des Princes, Paris, France2–03–11978 FIFA World Cup qualification
78 February 1978Stadio San Paolo, Naples, Italy2–22–2Friendly
81 April 1978Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–01–0Friendly
919 May 1978Stadium Nord, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France1–02–0Friendly
106 June 1978Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina1–11–21978 FIFA World Cup
115 September 1979Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden2–13–1UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying
1210 October 1979Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–03–0Friendly
1327 February 1980Parc des Princes, Paris, France2–15–1Friendly
143–1
1511 October 1980Tsirio Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus2–07–01982 FIFA World Cup qualification
163–0
1728 October 1980Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–01982 FIFA World Cup qualification
1814 October 1981Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland2–32–31982 FIFA World Cup qualification
1918 November 1981Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–01982 FIFA World Cup qualification
2023 February 1982Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–0Friendly
2121 June 1982Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain2–04–11982 FIFA World Cup
228 July 1982Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain1–13–3 (4–5 p)1982 FIFA World Cup
2310 November 1982De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands2–12–1Friendly
247 September 1983Idrætspark, Copenhagen, Denmark1–11–3Friendly
2529 February 1984Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–0Friendly
262–0
2712 June 1984Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–01–0UEFA Euro 1984
2816 June 1984Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France1–05–0UEFA Euro 1984
294–0
305–0
3119 June 1984Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France1–13–2UEFA Euro 1984
322–1
333–1
3423 June 1984Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France3–23–2UEFA Euro 1984
3527 June 1984Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–0UEFA Euro 1984
3613 October 1984Stade Municipal, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg2–04–01986 FIFA World Cup qualification
3721 November 1984Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–01–01986 FIFA World Cup qualification
3816 November 1985Parc des Princes, Paris, France1–02–01986 FIFA World Cup qualification
392–0
4017 June 1986Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico1–02–01986 FIFA World Cup
4121 June 1986Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico1–11–1 (4–3 p)1986 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Player

Nancy

1977–78

1974–75

Saint-Étienne

1980–81

Juventus

1983–84, 1985–86

1982–83

1984–85; runner-up: 1982–83

1983–84

1984

1985

France

1984

1985

Individual

1976, 1977[65]

1977

1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986[67]

1979[68]

1982, 1986[73]

1983[75]

1983, 1984, 1985[76]

1983, 1984, 1985[77]

1983–84[79]

1984

1984–85[81]

1984, 1985[82]

1984, 1985[83]

1982, 1983, 1984, 1985[84]

1995[67]

1998[86]

1999

2002[86]

2004, as football legend[91]

2004[92]

2004 (#9)[93]

2008 (voted All-Time Greatest European Footballer. He is only the second person outside the English game to be honoured by the Museum.)

2011[96]

2011[97]

2012[99]

2017[100]

2021[102]

Manager

Individual

1991[82]

Orders

1985[1]

1994[105]

1998[1]

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. 14 July 1998 . Décret du 13 juillet 1998 portant promotion et nomination . Decree of 13 July 1998 on promotion and appointment . Journal Officiel de la République Française . 1998 . 161 . 10831 . PREX9801876D . 25 August 2019 . fr.
  2. News: Michel Platini . L'Équipe . Paris . 4 June 2019 . fr.
  3. Web site: Michel Platini Biography . Soccer-fans-info.com . 3 May 1973 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090803221011/http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/michel-platini.html . 3 August 2009.
  4. Web site: Michel Platini – Goals in International Matches. RSSSF. 21 April 2011.
  5. Web site: European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or"). RSSSF. 13 January 2015.
  6. Web site: FIFA Player of the Century . 30 November 2010 . touri.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005029/http://en03.touri.com/Berichte/FIFA-Spieler/MalePlayer.pdf . 26 April 2012 . dead.
  7. Web site: Elegance and intelligence personified in blue: Michel Platini. https://web.archive.org/web/20131025012642/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=28528/. dead. 25 October 2013. FIFA.com. 1 February 2015.
  8. Web site: Buon compleanno, Monsieur Calcio. Archivio – la Repubblica.it. 21 June 2005 .
  9. Book: Moving with the Ball: The Migration of Professional Footballers . 6 January 2001. 9781859733073 . 20 September 2012. Lanfranchi . Pierre . Taylor . Matthew . Berg Publishers .
  10. Web site: Da Ferrari a Bernardeschi: la Juve e l'importanza della maglia numero 10. www.TuttoMercatoWeb.com. it. Lorenzo Di Benedetto. 24 July 2017. 24 July 2017.
  11. Web site: Gli eroi in bianconero: Michel PLATINI. Tutto Juve. it. Stefano Bedeschi. 21 June 2017. 24 July 2017.
  12. Web site: UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1983-84. www.juventus.com. 20 October 2017.
  13. Web site: Le memorie di Vignola "Io, giocatore normale in una squadra di mostri". La Repubblica. it. Maurizio Crosetti. 14 March 2017. 20 October 2017.
  14. Web site: Liverpool fade into background. The Guardian. David Lacey. 29 May 1985. 20 October 2017.
  15. Web site: Toyota Cup - Most Valuable Player of the Match Award . 30 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090414090937/http://rsssf.com/tablest/toyotamvp.html . 14 April 2009 . live .
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  17. Web site: Michel Platini's playing brilliance can be seen through the murk. The Guardian. Richard Williams. 18 December 2015. 20 October 2017.
  18. Web site: 19 November 2016. 03 décembre 1975 - France Amateur-Roumanie : 4-0. selectiona.free.fr. .
  19. Web site: Pears. Tim. My most beautiful game. The Guardian. 26 October 2008. 17 June 2014.
  20. Web site: 25 Most Skilled Passers in World Football History . bleacherreport.com . Max Towle . 9 May 2013 . 10 October 2018 .
  21. Web site: Nemici Storici: Michel Platini . www.dnamilan.com . it . Enrico Bonifazi . 8 August 2012 . 27 December 2018 . 24 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102916/http://www.dnamilan.com/nemici-storici/michel-platini.html . dead .
  22. Web site: THE NUMBER 10. www.robertomancini.com. Mancini. Roberto. 8 December 2018.
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  25. Web site: Michel Platini. DNA Milan.com. it. 9 December 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102916/http://www.dnamilan.com/nemici-storici/michel-platini.html. 24 December 2013.
  26. Web site: Zico e Platini candidati: se per la presidenza Fifa si sfidano due fra i più grandi numeri 10 di sempre . Il Corriere della Sera . it . Mario Sconcerti . 29 July 2015 . 28 June 2018 .
  27. Web site: 20 Great Two-Footed Players in World Football History . Bleacher Report . Turner . Mikhail . 15 February 2012 . 20 October 2019 .
  28. News: World's greatest XI: the best ever football team in pictures . The Telegraph . 20 October 2019 .
  29. News: Del Piero? Tira alla Platini. Il Corriere della Sera. it. 24 October 1995. 44. https://archive.today/20151106152619/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/ottobre/24/Del_Piero_Tira_alla_Platini_co_0_951024456.shtml. 6 November 2015.
  30. Web site: Pirlo l'uomo nuovo "Ho imparato guardando Baggio". La Repubblica. it. Currò. Enrico. 29 March 2005. 16 May 2012.
  31. Web site: Il più grande di tutti i tempi . www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it . it . 29 October 2010 . 27 June 2018 .
  32. Web site: Tra Hamrin e Batigol Toni per la storia. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. 31 March 2006. 9 December 2014.
  33. Web site: Iniesta e i suoi fratelli: i giocatori mai espulsi . UEFA.com . it . 1 April 2008 . 27 December 2018 .
  34. Web site: Ultimate Platini fan wins Guinness record . 11 September 2017 .
  35. News: Platini to run for UEFA presidency . EuFootball.biz . 27 July 2006 . 5 November 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071218023750/http://www.eufootball.biz/other/270706-Platini_to_run_for_UEFA_presidency.html . 18 December 2007.
  36. News: Platini elected UEFA president . UEFA.com . 27 January 2007 . 27 January 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070208135938/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind%3D64/newsid%3D500491.html . 8 February 2007 . dead .
  37. News: Platini victory would reduce England's Champions League quota . The Guardian . UK . 29 December 2006 . 7 May 2009 . Matt . Scott.
  38. News: Platini warns clubs in debt of possible Champions League ban . The Independent . UK . 27 June 2008 . 7 May 2009 . Gordon . Tynan.
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/sports/19iht-SOCCER.1.20309283.html?_r=0 "Platini's latest foe, and maybe the toughest: The EU"
  40. Web site: Sepp Blatter to resign as Fifa president – as it happened. 3 June 2015. The Guardian. 4 June 2015.
  41. Web site: Sepp Blatter to resign as Fifa president amid corruption scandal. 3 June 2015. BBC Sport. 4 June 2015.
  42. Web site: Michel Platini to stand for the FIFA presidency. UEFA. 9 September 2015. 29 July 2015.
  43. Web site: Michel Platini will not stand in Fifa presidential election. . 7 January 2016 . . 7 January 2016 .
  44. Web site: Fifa scandal: Michel Platini drawn closer to Blatter case. bbc.com. 30 September 2015. 30 September 2015.
  45. Web site: Platini says the SFr2m was contracted, Lauber says he is under investigation. insideworldfootball.com. 30 September 2015. 30 September 2015. 1 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001070205/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/fifa/17980-platini-says-the-sfr2m-was-contracted-lauber-says-he-is-under-investigation. dead.
  46. Web site: Michel Platini urged to give detail about £1.3million payment from FIFA. Eurosport. 30 September 2015. 28 September 2015.
  47. Web site: Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini & Jerome Valcke suspended. 8 October 2015. BBC Sport. 8 October 2015.
  48. News: Fifa: Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini get eight-year bans. 21 December 2015. BBC Sport. 21 December 2015.
  49. News: Borden. Sam. Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Are Barred From Soccer for 8 Years. 21 December 2015. The New York Times. 21 December 2015.
  50. News: Warshaw. Andrew. Merry Christmas Mr Blatter and Mr Platini...you're fired. 23 December 2015. insideworldfootball.com. 23 December 2015.
  51. News: Sepp Blatter & Michel Platini lose Fifa appeals but bans reduced . 24 February 2016 . BBC Sport .
  52. Web site: Rise and fall of Michel Platini – the self-proclaimed 'football man' who forgot the meaning of integrity. https://web.archive.org/web/20151221170548/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/sepp-blatter/12062418/Rise-and-fall-of-Michel-Platini-the-self-proclaimed-football-man-who-forgot-the-meaning-of-integrity.html . 21 December 2015 . subscription . live. 21 December 2015. Telegraph.co.uk.
  53. Web site: Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini given eight-year FIFA bans – ESPN FC. ESPNFC.com.
  54. Web site: Michel Platini given reduced ban of 4 years. TheGuardian.com. 9 May 2016.
  55. News: Ronay. Barney. 5 March 2020. Michel Platini's appeal over ban rejected by European court of human rights. en-GB. The Guardian. 13 September 2020. 0261-3077.
  56. Web site: Olympiakos: Grosses Combines et relations troubles . les cahiers du football . 9 September 2015.
  57. Web site: Exclusive: UEFA ethics chief clears Greeks in match-fixing scandal for Europa League – Inside World Football. Paul Nicholson. 16 August 2015. 18 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150918172533/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/europe/17247-exclusive-uefa-ethics-chiefs-clears-greeks-in-match-fixing-scandal-for-europa-league. dead.
  58. Web site: Match-fixing case in Greece just adds to sense of Greek chaos. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/11742597/Match-fixing-case-in-Greece-just-adds-to-sense-of-Greek-chaos.html . 12 January 2022 . subscription . live. 15 July 2015. Telegraph.co.uk. 16 August 2015.
  59. News: Group of death: FIFA officials' financial secrets exposed in new Wikileaks-style trove. 3 April 2016. Fusion. 1 May 2016. 26 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226142024/https://fusion.tv//story/287172/fifa-dirty-money-yacht/. dead.
  60. News: World Cup: Michel Platini claims 'trickery' over 1998 tournament draw. 18 May 2018. BBC Sport. 18 May 2018.
  61. News: Michel Platini questioned over awarding of World Cup to Qatar. BBC . 18 June 2019.
  62. News: UEFA chief Michel Platini suffers suspected heart attack – News – MirrorFootball.co.uk. Lipton. Martin. 9 July 2010. Mirror Football. 9 July 2010.
  63. News: Uefa president Michel Platini collapses in Johannesburg. 9 July 2010. BBC Sport-Football. 9 July 2010.
  64. Web site: Michel Platini – Goals in International Matches . 21 April 2011 . . 12 November 2018.
  65. Web site: 8 January 2010. France – Footballer of the Year. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115225/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/franpoy.html. 5 September 2015. RSSSF. 16 October 2015.
  66. Web site: 26 December 2014. L'Équipe World Champion of Champions. 22 December 2015.
  67. Web site: "Onze Mondial" Awards. 19 December 2021. RSSSF.
  68. https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-xi.html FIFA XI´s Matches – Full Info
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  74. Web site: Roberto Di Maggio. Igor Kramarsic. Alberto Novello. 11 June 2015. Italy – Serie A Top Scorers. RSSSF. 2 December 2015.
  75. Web site: Guerin Sportivo World Player of the Year awards 1979-1986 . 12 February 2023 . BigSoccer Forum . en-US.
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  77. Web site: "Onze Mondial" Awards: Onze de Onze 1976–2011. José Luis Pierrend. 6 March 2012. RSSSF. 14 September 2015.
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  79. Web site: Guerin d'Oro. RSSSF. 10 September 2015.
  80. Web site: Platini shines for flamboyant France. 28 December 2015. UEFA.com.
  81. Web site: Roberto Di Maggio. Roberto Mamrud. Jarek Owsianski. Davide Rota. 11 June 2015. Champions Cup/Champions League Topscorers. RSSSF. 22 December 2015.
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  91. Web site: Golden Foot Legends. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150416024500/http://www.goldenfoot.com/en/legends.html. 16 April 2015. 27 March 2015. Golden Foot.com.
  92. News: 4 March 2004. Pele's list of the greatest. BBC Sport. 15 June 2013.
  93. Web site: Zinedine Zidane voted top player by fans. 24 July 2014. UEFA.com.
  94. Web site: Placar - 100 Craques do Século. 19 December 2021. RSSSF.
  95. Web site: AFS Top-100 Players of All-Time. 19 December 2021. RSSSF.
  96. Web site: 11 November 2014. Il premio Facchetti a Michel Platini Festa (con fair play) a Milano. 21 January 2015. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it.
  97. Web site: 27 October 2015. Hall of fame, 10 new entry: con Vialli e Mancini anche Facchetti e Ronaldo. Hall of fame, 10 new entries: with Vialli and Mancini also Facchetti and Ronaldo. 27 October 2015. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it.
  98. Web site: Hall of Fame of Soccer Mexico and World. 19 December 2021. RSSSF.
  99. Web site: Wall of Fame. 28 December 2015. Globe Soccer.com.
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  102. Web site: 22 May 2021. IFFHS ALL TIME WORLD MEN'S DREAM TEAM. IFFHS.
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  104. Web site: IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players. IFFHS. 25 January 2016. 14 September 2016.
  105. 4 December 1994 . Décret du 3 décembre 1994 portant promotion et nomination . Decree of 3 December 1994 on promotion and appointment . Journal Officiel de la République Française . 1994 . 281 . 17157 . PREX9412415D . 4 June 2019 . fr.