At 70 years old, Michel Platini, a legendary figure in the sport, continues to hold important influence in the ever-evolving world of soccer. The former captain of the French national team, who led them to European glory in 1984, shared his insights on the modern game.
During a recent appearance at the “Festival dello Sport” in Italy, the iconic midfielder, affectionately known as “King Michael” during his illustrious playing days with Juventus in the 1980s, was asked about the current state of soccer.
Platini expressed his views on Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, stating, VAR solved some problems but caused others, that doesn’t change anything.
He elaborated on the intended purpose of VAR, suggesting it was meant to assist referees with specific, challenging calls like goal-line technology and offside decisions, which are often hard to judge in real-time.For the rest the referee and his assistants are there to judge.Why add more gadgets? Why bring more electronics into football?
he questioned, implying a concern about over-reliance on technology.
The former French playmaker, echoing sentiments shared by younger stars like Kylian Mbappé, believes that soccer has undergone a significant transformation. He described the modern game as more physical, faster, and more intense, but suggested this evolution may have come at the expense of creative play.
Platini, a staunch advocate for the artistry of the game, explained his viewpoint: For many years, it was the midfielders who amused me the most and the attackers who scored the goals. Today, it is the wingers who are the most creative players.
He observed a shift in player roles,noting that central midfield positions are now often occupied by players focused on solidity and technical ability,while defenders are more involved in build-up play and push higher up the field. However, he lamented that this often means they no longer really know how to defend.
This, he believes, contributes to the high-scoring matches seen today, with scorelines like 4-3 or 5-4, which were less common in his era.
A Shift in Creative Talent
He further elaborated on this point, expressing concern about the current landscape of creative talent: We are losing a great generation of players (creators) with (Kevin) De Bruyne, (Luka) Modric or (Antoine) Griezmann who have reached a certain age.Messi and Ronaldo no longer play in Europe.
With the departure of these midfield maestros from European leagues and the emergence of wingers like Lamine Yamal, Platini sees a changing of the guard in terms of playmaking influence.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner concluded by reflecting on the broader changes in the sport: Football has changed,it has become a business,a spectacle.It’s no longer the same football as before. I’m not saying it’s better or worse, it’s just different.
His remarks highlight a nostalgic view of the game, emphasizing the shift from a purer form of play to the commercialized spectacle it has become.
