Michael (commonly known as Michel) Francois Platini is a former French football player who was also a football club manager and is currently serving as the UEFA president. He is known for being a member of the French National Team who won in the 1984 championships. Platini was also a part of the French ‘magic square’ that composed of him, Luis Fernandez, Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse. The ‘square’ or the ‘carre magique’ was at the heart of the French team and was instrumental in their success.
Platini is considered to be one of the best passers in football history. He is also one of the best free kick specialists. He currently holds the record for the most goals (9) scored in a European Championship. Before Thierry Henry came to the scene, Platini held the team top scorer record. He scored 41 goals, which was surpassed by Henry in 2008.
In 1976, Platini received the French Player of the Year award. He also received that recognition in 1977. He became the World Soccer player of the Year in 1984 and in 1985. He became the World Manager of the year in 1991 and was appointed to light the Olympic flame in 1992.
He served as the coach of the French National Team for four years. He helped co-organize the 1998 World Cup held in France. Platini was a chairman of a FIFA committee. He ran for UEFA presidency in 2006 and he won defeating Lennart Johansson by 4 votes. Johansson had previously held the position for 16 years. As UEFA president, he is known for attacking debt ridden English clubs in 2008. He is also known as the most powerful man in European football today.
