Michel Platini marked the history of the France team and remains in people’s minds as one of the most important players. But the number 10 and captain also wore the jersey of another selection.
European champion in 1984, coach of the Blues, president of UEFA, Michel Platini is a legend of French football, and of the history of football in general. Author of 41 goals in 71 caps with the France team, he was the central piece of the team which reached the semi-finals of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and the Euro title in 1984. This period, Michel Platini is unanimously considered the best player in the world, and won the most important individual distinction, the Golden Ball, three times in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
Michel Platini also chaired the organizing committee for the 1998 World Cup in France, won by the Blues. Several years later, he explained that by placing France and Brazil in two opposing groups, he had assured the teammates of Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane of only meeting the Brazilians in the final.
But in addition to having written the history of the France team, Michel Platini also wore the jersey of another national selection. Indeed, after his retirement in 1987 Michel Platini took charge of the France team in 1988 as a young coach. He was then invited by the Emir of Kuwait to participate in an unofficial meeting between Jordan and Omen.
He participated in this match, playing one half in each team. A few days later, Michel Platini must also attend an official preparation meeting for the Asian championship between Kuwait and the USSR. But to everyone’s surprise, Michel Platini is not sitting in the Al-Sadaka stadium in Kuwait City, but is present in uniform on the field, with the jersey of the Kuwait national team.
The 1984 European champion took part in 21 minutes of play before being replaced. For the record, Kuwait lost in this match two goals to zero. Michel Platini returned to France as coach, as if nothing had happened, and this story did not have much impact, because very few images had leaked. But this match under the colors of Kuwait will still have “been officially recorded” as the last match in Michel Platini’s career.