Deschamps and Giresse guide Platini’s comeback in Canal+ series

On a quiet studio set, former France captain Didier Deschamps sits beside veteran midfielder Alain Giresse as they discuss Michel Platini’s long‑awaited comeback in Canal+’s six‑part series, aired on 23 and 30 August, following his definitive clearing by Swiss courts in August 2025.

Platini’s return in Canal+ documentary

Définitivement blanchi by the Swiss justice system, Michel Platini re‑appears as the central figure of a six‑episode Canal+ documentary that chronicles his career. The series brands him “Platoche”, the great legend of French football alongside Zinédine Zidane, the number 10 star of the Bleus who won Euro 1984 and reached two World Cup semi‑finals.

As he tells L’Equipe this Wednesday, “Comme” he confides, Platini wants to narrate his own legend – the son of an Italian family born in Meurthe‑et‑Moselle, discovered at AS Nancy Lorraine, then dazzling with AS Saint‑Étienne before captaining the Bleus and starring for Juventus. He lifted the Coupe d’Europe in 1985 and finished as the competition’s top scorer.

His résumé includes three Ballon d’Or awards from France Football, underscoring his status as the best player in Europe during his era.

Deschamps and Giresse reminisce on shared history

Canal+ gathered testimonies from former teammates of Platini in the France squad – Maxime Bossis, Patrick Battiston, Luis Fernandez and Alain Giresse – as well as Juventus greats Dino Zoff, Marco Tardelli, Zbigniew Boniek, and legends Karl‑Heinz Rummenigge and Zico, plus Didier Deschamps.

Like Platini, Deschamps captained a crowned France side before becoming the national team manager of the Bleus. He made his debut for France in April 1989, sitting on the bench with Platini during a 0‑0 World Cup 1990 qualifier against Yugoslavia.

Twenty‑year‑old Deschamps entered the match while the Bleus were still led by Joël Bats, Patrick Battiston and Manuel Amoros. Among the young players were Basile Boli and Laurent Blanc, the latter later a key defender for France.

By February 1990 the France squad featured Eric Cantona, Basile Boli, Jean‑Pierre Papin, Didier Deschamps and Bernard Casoni, illustrating the continuity of talent that the documentary highlights.

The series brings together voices from that golden era, underscoring Platini’s enduring place in French football history and the shared legacy of the Bleus.