Michel Platini reflects on his career and French football ahead of new Canal+ documentary

A two‑part documentary on Michel Platini’s life and legacy will premiere on Canal+ on 23 August, and the former French captain used the occasion to weigh in on his own career, the media’s treatment of players in his era and the state of French football today.

During an exclusive interview with L’Équipe, Platini said the lack of political activism among his generation of players was largely a symptom of the hostile environment footballers faced in the 1970s. “Back then France was not very football‑friendly,” he explained, adding that “sport didn’t really exist, and by extension football was seen as a low‑status activity.”

He recalled how players were often stigmatized, describing the era’s perception of athletes as “the lowest species that could exist on earth.” The former number 10 noted that many teammates felt forced to hide their profession, saying, “If you wanted to date a girl you couldn’t say you were a footballer because it was considered rubbish.”

Turning to the modern game, Platini praised Ligue 1’s recent fixtures, insisting he sees “only good matches” when he watches the French top flight. He also lauded the country’s youth development system, calling it “a high‑level training school” that continues to produce world‑class talent.

However, Platini was less enthusiastic about the flamboyant first leg of the recent PSG‑Bayern Champions League tie. He dismissed the goalkeepers as “sieves” and the defenders as “absolute sieves,” and confessed he preferred the more balanced 1‑1 result in the return leg. “The spectacle was over‑the‑top, but the football was better in the second game,” he said.

The documentary, which combines archival footage with fresh interviews, aims to shed light on both Platini’s triumphs and the challenges he faced, including his fraught relationship with the press. It is expected to reignite debate over the evolution of player‑media dynamics in France.

As the release date approaches, French football fans and pundits alike are anticipating a candid portrait of one of the sport’s most controversial figures, and a chance to reflect on how far the game has come since the days when “football was the lowest species on earth.”