Michel Platini's tackle on today's footballers

In a lengthy interview with L’Équipe magazine, former French international Michel Platini shared his perspective on today’s football.

The Bleus legend was asked about the increasing openness of players when it comes to mental health and other issues that have long been kept quiet in sport. For Michel Platini, players need to deal with the demands of their profession and stop complaining.

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"Do I understand that players need to open up (especially about mental health)? No. They chose this path, now they have to accept it. These are the consequences of fame, glory, and money. If they can't accept it, they should do something else. In any case, a player is judged on his performance and results on the pitch, not on his moods or statements in the press." Platini said.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner also delivered some strong words on changing mentalities in football: "Today, the Ballon d'Or is the Holy Grail, not a player’s record of achievements. We had values a bit different from those of today’s players. We played for a team, for the fans. Now they say, 'I want to go down in history.' They’re not attached to clubs or to the supporters. Professional football is now just brands and mercenaries, nothing else."

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.