Last update 23 February, 2022 by Alberto Llopis
Michel Platini was one of the best players of the history. That great French medium who delighted in the years 80 a whole generation of people to the point that many of them wore sunglasses image and likeness of “10 the end”, great icon of the moment, that even allowed the luxury to take his own clothing line, “number 10”.
The beginnings of one of the best footballers in history
This great footballer born in 1955 In the town of Joeuf, in the Lorraine region, soon began his impressive football career. With scarcely 11 years, already entered the AS Joeuf, the team of his people, where his father to the work of coach. These were the first steps of a player who was beginning to stand out from the other kids his age because of his excellent vision and scoring ability.
The good performance in the AS Joeuf led to him being closely followed by Metz, finally he dismissed his move due to recurring injuries he suffered, as well as assumptions about respiratory problems and heart (as on many other occasions, a club rejected a future football legend). was going to be the AS Nancy, where again his father was, which he would take the upper hand and was going to do with the services of a boy 17 years that promised much.
At AS Nancy, Platini would confirm everything that was said about him. In his first match with the reserve team, French crack samples who was left a hat trick against Valenciennes. In that first year, nevertheless, Michele would contest only four games with the team in Ligue 1 because of their young age.
The following year would improve participation in the team Platini, which he began to earn a place in the starting XI, that would only obscured by serious injury. However, equipment falling into the pit of Ligue 2, where he “10” I would play next year. And I was going to make it big, Because with 17 goals became the benchmark of Nancy rise to the top flight of French football.
The rise of the team coincided with the definitive explosion of Michael Platini, that therefore, He led the team to new heights. In 1977, AS Nancy became a creditable fourth place league, the best rating in its history. In 1978, the club took another step and made his first title, French Cup.
All under the baton of a Platini who attended, marked, controlled and managed everything with apparent ease. Not in vain, during seasons 76 y 77 was appointed best french player. That year, curiously, he was about to sign for Valencia but His signing was cut short due to an anecdote in which the Levant, the other city team was involved.
The first World Cup for Michel Platini
The year 1978 It would also be important for the Frenchman on an international level, as the player (which he had debuted in 1976 with alone 21 years) He was selected for his first World Cup in Argentina, where his team had a more discreet role falling in the first phase. Quote, nevertheless, She helped him to score his first goal in a world championship before the hosts. However, French fans would not forgive and wherever they went, He was called for his role with “blue”.
One year later in 1979, Michael Platini He was going to change his scene and was going to be signed by AS Saint-Etienne, after half of Europe to ask for it. In his new team, the French midfielder would win their only Ligue 1 in 1981, Doublet year also in Cup against Bastia. In 1982, It was another drink, this time, to Paris Saint Germain which fell into the coffers of Platini.
At Saint-Etienne we were going to begin to see the best of “Monsieur Golden Balloon”. Leadership, a vision of huge pass, which it was increasing with magical passes, and above all, his killer instinct. 58 so many in just over 100 games for midfielder was a really notorious figures. All of this, also accompanied by an extraordinary kicking ball be happy, that made him be scary for goalkeepers.
Summer 1982 It would be perhaps the most important of his life by two facts really key. First transfer to Juventus, and then the World Spain 82, where Michael Platini He arrived as captain of the French team and where he was not going to disappoint.
Michael Platini, winner of 3 Consecutive Ballon d'Or awards
In Spain, France would demonstrate their full potential and Platini was to consecrate as world-class player, to the extent that the Gauls were going to get reach the semifinals for the first time in its history, where only Germany, a crazy game, they could defeat on penalties after finishing extra time resulting in tie 3. The meeting would be cataloged by Platini as his best memory in the world of football.
On arrival at the Juve it was not easy, well Michael Platini He needed a few months to adapt to the defensive and tactical style of Calcio. Far from being intimidated, the difficulty exalted the 10 Juventus player, an excellent second round of the season led the team to the final of the European Cup against Hamburg and win their first Coppa Italia. Their good work with 16 goals in Serie A earned him the title of Capo Cannonieri and helped him achieve his first Ballon d'Or.
His second season was even better Juve. Fully adapted and with the fans and in your pocket, Platini won the Cup Winners Cup against Porto and Serie A, where he also finished as top scorer for the second consecutive year.
But the best was yet to come, because his country's Euro, in the summer of 84, the French midfielder would get the championship title with a starring role in the tournament, where up top scorer with 9 many (current record in the history of the European Championships). Goals, as important as that free kick taken where the ball was slipped under the body of Arconada. Again, Michele was awarded the Ballon d'Or.
In 1985, Platini went up to the altar of football with a new exhibition of goals and good football that lead to win their first European Cup against Liverpool in the tragic end of Heysel. A title won the Intercontinental Cup was added Argentino Juniors. In that final, the gaul and Michael Laudrup the team's goals would be scored, what, nevertheless, I would go to penalties to be champion. ( Platini precisely mark the decisive penalty).
Thereto, we should add two new awards tripled: the top scorer in Serie A and the Golden Ball (He is the only player who has won three consecutive times). And a new one that was added to your collection: the knight of the French Legion of Honor.
The year 1986 It would be the year of a new Scudetto with Juve (ahead of Maradona's Naples) and his last world, that of Mexico 86, where France would reach semifinals, to fall back against Germany. In the Aztec country, Platini would leave a stellar moment for the history of football in the legendary quarterfinal match against Brazil, where he was to be the first man to score a goal Brazilians in the tournament. Besides, was consecrated as the French footballer with the most goals in the national team, so alone Thierry Henry, another of the best French players in history, several years later he managed to overcome.
His controversial career as a UEFA manager that did not end well
In 1987, con 32 years, Michael Platini he said goodbye, tired of not having fun. Its relationship with football yet, It did not end as it became French national coach for four years, and co-organizer of France World Cup 98. Later he would be the president of UEFA and would end up having problems with the law for alleged irregularities during his term..
