Michel Platini

Michel François Platini (born June 21, 1955) is a French former football manager and midfielder, and current president of the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations).

Platini was part of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the best player and top goalscorer. He participated in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in the latter two. Platini, Alain Giresse, Luis Fernández and Jean Tigana together made up the "carré magique" (French for "magic square"), the group of players that formed the heart of the French national team throughout the 1980s.

He was a notable free kick taker, as demonstrated by his numerous goals from dead-ball situations with the national team and with Juventus, where Platini played for five years and won most of his club career honours.

Platini was named Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour on April 29, 1985 and became Officier (Officer) in 1988. He was the French national team coach for four years, and was the co-organizer of the 1998 World Cup in France. He has also been the chairman of the FIFA Technical and Development Committee, and vice-president of the French Football Federation.