Michel Platini

Michel Platini (born June 21, 1955 in Joeuf (Département Meurthe-et-Moselle) is a former French football player, widely regarded as one of the most elegant midfielders of his generation.

Related Topics:
June 21 - 1955 - Département - Meurthe-et-Moselle - French - Football - Midfielder

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Born in Lorraine of part French/Italian descent, mainly French (1/4 Italian and 3/4 French), Platini started at French club Nancy-Lorraine before moving on to Saint-Etienne, where he won the league title in 1981. In 1982 he moved to Italian club side Juventus, scoring 68 goals in 147 league games as a midfielder, and being Serie A's top goalscorer three years in a row. Platini helped the club win two league titles, the Italian Cup, the European Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup.

Related Topics:
Lorraine - Nancy-Lorraine - Saint-Etienne - 1981 - 1982 - Juventus - League - Italian Cup - European Cup - Cup Winners' Cup

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Platini captained the French national team to European Championship honors in 1984, becoming the top scorer of the tournament with 9 goals.

Related Topics:
French national team - European Championship - 1984

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Platini was one of the greatest passers of the ball in the history of the game, and, despite nominally a midfielder, also an outstanding goalscorer. In the words of Bobby Charlton, "he could thread the ball through the eye of a needle as well as finish." Platini was also a master of the free kick, which he practised using a row of dummies during training.

Related Topics:
Bobby Charlton - Free kick

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He was voted European footballer of the year (Ballon d'or) an unprecedented three times in succession, in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

Related Topics:
European footballer of the year - 1983 - 1984 - 1985

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Platini was, together with François-Cyrille Grange, the lighter of the Olympic Flame at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. He was also the head of the organizing committee for the {{Wc|1998}}, held in France.

Related Topics:
François-Cyrille Grange - Olympic Flame - 1992 Winter Olympics - Albertville

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