Sporting icons : Michel Platini – The French Artist of European Football & set piece meastro- Career HLs, Video

 



 Michel Platini – The Artist of European Football

Introduction

Michel François Platini was born on June 21, 1955, in Jœuf, France. Widely regarded as one of the finest playmakers in football history, Platini was known for his vision, technical brilliance, exquisite passing, and remarkable goal-scoring prowess from midfield. Nicknamed "Le Roi" (The King), he was a symbol of French football's golden era during the 1980s.

Style of Play

Platini was an attacking midfielder with an extraordinary footballing brain. His precise control, elegant dribbling, and powerful long-range shooting made him a complete creative force. A set-piece specialist, he could bend free-kicks with uncanny accuracy. What made him stand out was his goal-scoring ability from midfield, an area typically not known for prolific scorers. Platini orchestrated the game like a conductor, often dictating tempo and unlocking defenses with a single pass.

Career Highlights in Detail

🇫🇷 International Career (France)

  • Caps: 72
  • Goals: 41
  • Captain of the golden French generation
  • Led France to glory at the 1984 UEFA Euro as both captain and top scorer with 9 goals

FIFA World Cup

  • 1978: Group stage exit
  • 1982: Semifinalist (lost to West Germany in the legendary 3–3, 5–4 penalty shootout)
  • 1986: Semifinalist again, lost to West Germany
    Despite not winning the World Cup, Platini’s performance in 1982 and 1986 cemented his status among the elite.

UEFA Euro 1984

  • Tournament Winner
  • Top Scorer with 9 goals in 5 matches – still a record for most goals in a single Euro tournament
  • Golden Boot & Player of the Tournament
  • Instrumental in France’s first major international trophy, scoring two hat-tricks and a stunning semi-final winner

Olympics

  • Represented France at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal
  • Scored twice in the tournament before France was eliminated in the quarterfinals

Club Career

 AS Nancy (1972–1979)

  • Where his career began
  • French Cup winner (1978)
  • Scored over 98 goals and developed into a world-class talent

 Saint-Étienne (1979–1982)

  • Helped win Ligue 1 in 1981
  • Gained greater international recognition

Juventus (1982–1987)

  • 132 appearances, 68 goals
  • Won Serie A twice (1984, 1986)
  • European Cup Winner in 1985
  • European Cup Winners’ Cup (1984)
  • Ballon d’Or winner three times consecutively – 1983, 1984, 1985
  • Instrumental in Juventus’s dominance during the 1980s

Memorable Moments

  •  His stunning free-kick against Portugal in the Euro 1984 semi-final, sending France to the final
  •  Hat-trick vs Belgium at Euro 1984, showcasing his attacking flair
  •  Lifting the European Cup with Juventus in 1985 in a tragic final overshadowed by the Heysel disaster
  •  His midfield duel with Maradona during Juventus vs Napoli Serie A battles



Legacy & A Nice Write-Up

Michel Platini’s legacy is that of a footballing genius who redefined the role of an attacking midfielder. At a time when physicality was often prioritized, Platini thrived on intelligence, finesse, and a deep understanding of the game. He was not only France’s first truly global football superstar but also a beacon of their footballing revolution in the 1980s.

Even after retiring, Platini remained a prominent figure — serving as UEFA President (2007–2015) and playing a major role in shaping modern European football, although his administrative career ended amid controversy.

Still, as a player, his brilliance is unquestioned. Platini blended artistry with effectiveness like few others, leaving behind a footballing legacy that continues to inspire generations.

Honors Summary

  • Ballon d’Or: 1983, 1984, 1985
  • UEFA Euro Winner: 1984
  • European Cup Winner: 1985
  • Serie A Titles: 1984, 1986
  • French Cup: 1978
  • Ligue 1: 1981
  • Top Scorer in Serie A: 1983, 1984, 1985
  • French Football Hall of Fame inductee

Michel Platini — the maestro who painted football with his feet.

Watch the skills & goals of Platini in the below video - a masterclass 

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