Platini

In 1975, France was a minor player on the world soccer stage when a young playmaker began to make a name for himself at Nancy. He quickly became the leader who was expected to lead Les Bleus back to the World Cup. But was the new star of French soccer ready to handle the pressure that came with his new status?

Tensions rose when the new leader of Les Bleus was unable to prevent a disastrous start to the 1982 World Cup. In a now-legendary semifinal against Germany, and during the European Championship—held in France for the first time—Platini tried to instill in his teammates his obsession with winning.

Platini was criticized in France for leaving to play in Turin, but was adored in Italy, where he is now nicknamed “The King.” There, he shone against Maradona, Zico, and Rummenigge, displaying a level of tactical intelligence unmatched anywhere in the world. But Juventus was obsessed with the European Champions Cup, which always eluded them. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose in 1985, in the final in Brussels at Heysel Stadium.

Platini became a global superstar by winning the Intercontinental Cup in Japan, leading the French national team at the World Cup in Mexico, launching his own television show, and becoming one of the faces of Restos du cœur. But even his third Ballon d’Or couldn’t erase the weariness that was increasingly taking hold of him.

With his soccer career over at just 32, Platini was named head coach of the French national team. Soon after, he entered the world of politics. In 2007, his election as president of UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, marked a first for a former soccer player. But the next step—toward FIFA—proved to be more complicated than he had imagined.