Top 10 Interesting Facts about Michel Platini

Former internationally known footballer, Michel Platini in 2009 photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Michel Platini

Michel Platini, who is regarded as one of football’s all-time greats, was at the height of his powers in the 1980s. A constant intellectual threat, Platini was a master passer off either foot with the most incredible vision, able to mould a game to his liking while also demonstrating his leadership skills.

His proclivity for finding space in the final third would afterwards allow him to use perhaps his best skill: finishing. He was an exquisite and sneaky mover, capable of finding space in between the lines where there appeared to be none.

His poise and technique were frequently faultless, whether he was dodging opponents to meet crosses, finding his position from 15 yards out, or blasting goal ward from 25.

Former player and manager Michel François Platini, born on June 21, 1955, is a French football executive. Platini was born in Joeuf, in the region of Lorraine, to Italian-born parents Aldo and Anna (née Piccinelli).

Platini is known as one of the game’s all-time greats thanks to his talent and dependability, which shone like a beacon. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about him.

1. Michel Platini signed his first professional contract with Nancy

Michel Platini, “Football 84” collection photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

After the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Michel Platini signed his first professional contract with Nancy for two years, and he led his team to victory in the 1978 French Cup against Nice by scoring the game’s lone goal.

When his contract with Nancy expired in 1979, Inter, AS Saint-Étienne, and Paris Saint-Germain all expressed interest in signing him. He finally agreed to terms with AS Saint-Étienne on a three-year contract.

2. Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row

FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards, FIFA Museum, Zurich photo by Ank Kumar – Wikimedia commons

Platini is regarded as one of the best footballers of all time, having won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row in 1983, 1984, and 1985, as well as finishing eighth in the FIFA Player of the Century voting.

He was made a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1985 and an Officier in 1998 in honour of his efforts.

3. Platini last played for France on April 29, 1987

Jean P. Papin (left) and Michel Platini (middle) during the World Cup at Mexico photo by El Gráfico – Wikimedia commons

A few weeks before declaring his retirement from all forms of football, Platini made his final appearance for France on April 29, 1987, when they faced Iceland at home in a European Championship qualifying match.

Platini scored 41 goals in 72 appearances for France between 1976 and 1987, including 49 as captain. This mark for the French national team has only since been surpassed by Thierry Henry, who scored his 42nd and 43rd goals for his country against Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on October 17, 2007.

4. He served on the UEFA Technical Development Committee from 1988 to 1990

The photo was taken during the Unofficial Meeting of EU Sport Ministers in Krakow. photo by Piotr Drabik – Wikimedia commons

Platini co-chaired the organizing committee for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France alongside Fernand Sastre. From 1988 to 1990, he was a member of the UEFA Technical Development Committee.

Since 2002, he has served on the UEFA Executive Committee and as a European member of the FIFA Executive Committee. He rose through the levels of UEFA and FIFA football administration, eventually becoming chairman of the FIFA Technical and Development Committee and vice-president of the French Football Federation in 2006.

5. Platini was the France national team coach for four years

Following his retirement as a player, Platini was the France national team coach for four years. On November 1st, 1988, Platini took over as head coach of the French national team, succeeding Henri Michel, who had been fired following France’s disastrous 1-1 draw with Cyprus in a 1990 World Cup qualifying match.

In the end, France’s qualifying effort was unsuccessful. The team’s attention moved on to advancing to Sweden’s 1992 European Championship. In the qualifying rounds, France performed admirably, winning all eight of their group matches, including noteworthy wins away to Spain and Czechoslovakia.

They were among the favourites to win the competition after a record 19-match unbeaten streak.

6. Platini was named Manager of the Year by the World Soccer Awards

During his time as coach of the France national team, France was among the favourites to win the championship after a record 19-match unbeaten streak, and Platini was voted Manager of the Year by the World Soccer Awards.

However, a run of underwhelming warm-up performances, followed by France’s first-round loss from the competition, prompted Platini to resign as coach.

7. He was the president of the UEFA

The photo was taken during the Unofficial Meeting of EU Sport Ministers in Krakow. photo by Piotr Drabik – Wikimedia commons

From 2007 to 2015, he was the president of UEFA, the global governing body of European football. Platini announced his candidacy for the UEFA president in July 2006.

On January 26, 2007, he defeated Lennart Johansson, who had held the position for the preceding 16 years, by a vote of 27 to 23. Platini’s speech was centred on the virtues of solidarity and universality.

8. Michel Platini was barred from soccer for eight years

As the president of UEFA in 2015, he was banned from involvement in football under FIFA’s organization, over ethics violations and due to ethical infractions in the ‘FIFA Gate’ corruption scandal.

He was able to lower his sentence to four years, allowing him to return to football in October 2019, although he still faces legal issues as a result of the incident. The ban was supposed to last until 2023.

9. He has been mentioned in numerous corruption scandals

Swiss authorities accused FIFA President Sepp Blatter of making a “disloyal payment” to Platini of $2 million (£1.6 million) in regards to the ongoing case.

Platini and Blatter were both found guilty of ethics offences and suspended from the sport until 2023 on December 21. Platini was also implicated in the 2015 Greek football scandal’s public polemica.

Platini was identified in the Panama Papers in April 2016. Platini stated on May 18, 2018, that the 1998 FIFA World Cup draw was manipulated such that France and Brazil would not encounter each other until the final if both sides won their groups.

Platini was questioned in June 2019 on Qatar’s selection to host the 2022 World Cup.

10. He is a member of both the English and Italian Football Halls of Fame

Diego Maradona (left) and Michel Platini while playing for Napoli and Juventus, respectively. photo by El Gráfico – Wikimedia commons

He is a member of both the English and Italian Football Halls of Fame. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Football Museum Foundation founded the Italian Hall of Fame in 2011 to honour football luminaries who “made an everlasting impact on the history of Italian football.”

Its mission is to promote Italian football’s heritage, history, culture, and ideals. The English Hall of fame on the other hand aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of the all-time top English footballing talents, as well as non-English players and managers who have become significant figures in the history of the English game.