Michel Platini

Lore & Background

Nicknamed Le Roi ('The King') for his ability and leadership, Platini 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. 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.

In Their Own Story

The Parc des Princes is hushed, save for the rhythmic thud of boots on grass. Under the floodlights of an autumn evening in 1984, Michel Platini receives the ball deep in his own half. He does not rush; he glides, shielding the leather with a casual grace that confounds two defenders closing in. With a flick of his wrist and a subtle turn of his body, he leaves them behind, the crowd erupting as he threads a pass through the defensive line like a needle through silk.

Reader's Guide

Platini began his professional career at Nancy in 1972, captaining the club to victory in the 1978 French Cup final. He moved to Saint-Étienne in 1979, winning the French league title in 1981. In 1982, he joined Juventus, where he won the Serie A title in 1984 and 1986, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1984, the 1984 European Super Cup, the European Cup in 1985, and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup. He never played for Paris Saint-Germain.

Did You Know?

• Platini won the Ballon d'Or three times in a row, in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
• He was the top scorer of Juventus's victorious 1984–85 European Cup campaign.
• Platini held the record for most goals scored (9) in the European Championship until 2021.
• He was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1985 and became an Officer in 1998.