Michel Platini

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Platini was, together with Fran?ois-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 , held in France.

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June 21: June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. This day usually marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, and thus is the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight ...

1955: 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar....

French: French can refer to more than one article:...

Michel Platini related Images and Photos (experimental)

Michel Chevalier	Michel Eyquem de Montaigne	Michel Eyquem De Montaigne	Michel Simon: La Chienne 1931
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Michel Ney (1769-1815) Duke of Elchingen	Mont Saint-Michel	Mont Saint Michel	Metro Saint-Michel Paris