Michel Platini

Michel François Platini (born 21 June 1955) is a French former footballer, manager, and football administrator. Widely considered among the sport's all-time greats, he won the Ballon d'Or three consecutive years (1983–1985) and placed seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1985 and an Officer in 1998. In 2015, while serving as UEFA president, he received a ban from all football-related activity under FIFA for ethics violations; the ban ended in 2023.

As a player, Platini represented Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus. Known as Le Roi ("The King") for his skill and leadership, he was a prolific scorer, winning Serie A's capocannoniere award three years running (1983–1985) and finishing as top scorer in Juventus's victorious 1984–85 European Cup campaign. He was instrumental for France in winning the 1984 European Championship, where he was both top scorer and best player, and helped the team reach the World Cup semi-finals in 1982 and 1986. Alongside Alain Giresse, Luis Fernández, and Jean Tigana, he formed the carré magique (magic square) of the French midfield in the 1980s. Platini held France's all-time scoring record until 2007, and his nine goals in the European Championship remained the tournament record until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed it in 2021—despite Platini having played only in the 1984 edition.

After retiring, Platini coached the French national team from 1988 to 1992 and co-organized the 1998 World Cup in France. In 2007, he became the first former player elected president of UEFA. He also chaired FIFA's Technical and Development Committee and served as vice-president of the French Football Federation.

Platini was born on 21 June 1955 in Jœuf, Meurthe-et-Moselle, to Aldo and Anna (née Piccinelli), both of Italian descent. His mother's family came from the province of Belluno; his paternal grandfather, Francesco Platini, emigrated from Agrate Conturbia (province of Novara) to France after World War I. Aldo was a professional footballer and longtime director at AS Nancy, where Michel began his career.

After a poor showing in a 1969 youth competition final, Platini impressed at age 16 in a Coupe Gambardella match for Jœuf juniors against Metz juniors. He was called for a trial with Metz but missed it due to injury, and the Metz coach's departure prevented a second invitation. He returned to regional football with Jœuf. A later trial at Metz went badly when a spirometer breathing test made him faint; the doctor's diagnosis of breathing problems and a weak heart ended his hopes of playing for his boyhood club. In September 1972, he joined the reserve side of his father's club Nancy, becoming friends with goalkeeper Jean-Michel Moutier.

At Nancy, Platini quickly made an impact, scoring a hat-trick in a reserve match against Wittelsheim. His first-team introduction was rocky: on the bench against Valenciennes, he was spat on and hit by objects from the crowd during a brawl. Days later, a heavy tackle in a reserve match caused a bad ankle injury. He finished the season positively, making his league debut against Nîmes on 3 May 1973. In March 1974, a double fracture of his left arm in a match at OGC Nice ended his season, and Nancy were relegated from Ligue 1. The next season, Nancy won promotion back, with Platini scoring 17 goals—many from free kicks, his specialty. He knocked out reigning champions Saint-Étienne from the French Cup with two free-kick goals, and practiced his technique with Moutier and a row of dummies.

Back in Ligue 1, Platini's military service limited his availability, but he continued playing when possible. Angered by taunts from home supporters in a match at Laval, he scored a hat-trick but suffered another injury. Despite press reports of a season-ending knee operation, he returned two weeks later for Nancy's French Cup semi-final against Marseille at the Parc des Princes, scoring their only goal in a 4–1 loss before leaving injured. After the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he signed his first professional contract, a two-year deal with Nancy. Before the 1978 World Cup, he captained Nancy to the French Cup final against Nice, scoring the only goal; President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing presented the trophy. With the World Cup starting two weeks later, preparation time was short.