As Canal+ prepares to air a six-part documentary chronicling his life and career, the 71-year-old French football icon offered fresh insights into his legacy and the sport’s transformation. The three-time France Football Ballon d’Or winner (1983, 1984, 1985) admitted his views don’t always align with today’s footballing zeitgeist.

Platini’s critique of the Champions League spectacle centered on the widely celebrated PSG-Bayern Munich first-leg showdown, which ended 5-4. While the match was hailed as a modern classic, he remained unconvinced.

“They conceded nine goals in the tie and we call that a match of the century?” he remarked. “The defense was porous, the goalkeepers were overwhelmed—yet this performance is celebrated as a footballing masterpiece. We’ve truly entered the era of showbiz.”

He emphasized that defensive brilliance and goalkeeper saves—often overlooked in favor of attacking flair—are equally deserving of praise. “A perfectly timed tackle or a breathtaking save is every bit as beautiful as a goal. But with two billion people watching, opinions are bound to differ. I’m just one voice in that chorus—and I might not always be right.”