As Michel Platini turns 70, the legendary Frenchman sat down with his former Juventus teammate Marco Tardelli for an interview (as quoted by IlBianconero) with La Stampa. The iconic number 10, who won three Ballon d’Or awards during his time in Turin, looked back on his career, the people who shaped it, and the unforgettable moments—both joyous and tragic—that defined his legacy.
“Juventus Made Me Great”
Reflecting on his years in Turin, Platini expressed deep gratitude to the club that catapulted him to global stardom.
“Juventus made me great, made me known all over the world. It was only right to give something back to the boss,” Platini said, revealing a remarkable gesture of appreciation.
“I gave one of my three Ballon d’Ors to [Gianni] Agnelli because it was one of the few things he couldn’t have. Joking aside, it was out of gratitude and recognition.”
Remembering Lost Friends
Platini was candid about the absence of two beloved teammates:
“I miss Paolo Rossi and Gaetano Scirea so much. I would have loved to have them by my side to celebrate together.”
On Agnelli, Boniperti, and Trapattoni
Recalling his first encounters with the legendary Juventus president, Platini admitted:
“He wanted me so badly, but I didn’t know who he was. I discovered over time that he was truly a great man.”
He also praised the club’s leadership duo:
“Boniperti was Juventus, and with Trapattoni on the bench, they formed an extraordinary partnership, so important for our club and for all of football.”
The Highs and Lows at Juventus
When asked about his fondest memory in black and white, Platini found it impossible to choose:
“It’s impossible to pick just one, those were five years of great beauty. Unfortunately, it’s easier to isolate the worst memory.”
That memory was the tragedy of Heysel:
“It was a tragic page for me, as it was for you. It’s incredibly hard to talk about. It hurts so much to think that some fans who came to see me never returned home.”
Retirement and Moving On
Platini recalled the moment he knew it was time to hang up his boots:
“I was only 32, but the fuel was gone. I realized it during a match against Sampdoria: I had a five-meter lead and ended up five meters behind.”
The Disallowed Goal in Tokyo
He also shared a story about a moment of frustration on the world stage:
“Me lying on the pitch in Tokyo? It was a reaction to injustice—they disallowed a wonderful goal of mine, and I realized life is full of injustices. But it was just a moment; I got up quickly because we had to win.”
On His FIFA Acquittal
Platini addressed his legal battles and the toll they took:
“I came out clean, but my enemies still won. Anyway, they stole ten years from me. New roles? That’s how it went, but I’m fine as I am.”
Thoughts on Modern Football
Finally, Platini lamented the changes in the game:
“The Bosman ruling killed the philosophy of football: today, to win, you need money. Just look at how the histories of clubs like PSG and Manchester City have changed.”
