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Preview data: all rankings, scores, votes, refresh labels, methodology, testing and editorial-process statements in Top 49 are illustrative demo content, not live measurements or documented reviews.
Rank 121Up 1
#12 in Footballers of All Time
of 20 ranked entries
Michel Platini
Midfielder · France · 1972–1987
Won three consecutive Ballons d’Or from 1983 to 1985 and still holds the European Championship’s single-tournament scoring record, set captaining France to the 1984 title. Recorded specifics: position Midfielder, country France, debut 1972. Panel highlighted three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, 1983 to 1985, still holds the European Championship record of 9 goals in a single tournament and captained France to the 1984 European title on home soil. The reservation on record is never won a World Cup despite reaching two semifinals with a golden generation.
Ballon d’Or winner
Score breakdown
How Michel Platini earned 81.2
Each criterion is scored independently, then combined using the weights published on Footballers of All Time.
- Individual brilliance & skillweight 30%
- 80.5
- Trophy & tournament successweight 25%
- 79.1
- Influence on how the game is playedweight 25%
- 83.4
- Peak dominance vs the era’s bestweight 20%
- 81.9
On the record
Recorded detail
| Position | Midfielder |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Debut | 1972 |
| World Cups + Ballons d’Or | 3 |
| Rating | 8.6 |
Panel verdict
Strengths and reservations
What it gets right
- Three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, 1983 to 1985
- Still holds the European Championship record of 9 goals in a single tournament
- Captained France to the 1984 European title on home soil
Where it gives ground
- Never won a World Cup despite reaching two semifinals with a golden generation
1 appearance
Where this entry ranks
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Top 49 rankings are editorial. Scores are produced from the published criteria on each list and are refreshed on the cadence stated there. Figures shown across this section are curated demonstration data.