Platini: "If Messi wins the Ballon d'Or, it's because he deserves it"

The Frenchman Michel Platini was awarded the Ballon d'Or on three consecutive occasions ('83, '84 and '85). Messi may out do him this season. "Records are there to be beaten. If he wins it again, it's because he deserves it. He's 25 years old and has every opportunity to leave his mark for all eternity," stated the UEFA president in an interview with 'France Football'.



Platini gave his personal view on French football and his national team. In his opinion, Zidane may manage the France team one day. "Someone with Zidane's presence can be a coach. Sometimes you talk to him and he helps put you on the right path. From experience, I know that it's not easy to be a manager without having done it before," he remarked.



However, the 'Bleu' bench is currently occupied by Didier Deschamps. "He was a brilliant player and he has had a great coaching career. He has every right to be the manager," assured Platini. He expressed less certainty with respect to the players who make up the team: "They need to decide if they're important. They're young. It's hard to tell just now."



Messi has also received the backing of the majority of players to have won the Ballon d'Or. 'France Football' asked 13 of them for their verdict. Seven opted for the Argentinean, three for Cristiano, one for Iniesta and Pirlo and two abstained. Messi's camp consists of Kopa, Luis Suárez, Keegan, Rummenigge, Van Basten, Sammer and Shevchenko. Rivera, Kaká and Beckenbauer opted for Madrid's Portuguese striker. Iniesta and Pirlo received a consolation vote from Cannavaro, whilst Di Stéfano and Figo preferred not to venture an opinion.