Michel Platini has criticised the modern way of judging football, questioning why Paris Saint-Germain’s nine-goal Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich was hailed as a “match of the century”.
The French football great and three-time Ballon d’Or winner said the game had become increasingly focused on spectacle, with the number of goals often considered more important than the quality of the overall performance or the technical details within a match.
In an extended interview with L’Equipe, Platini reflected on his own view of football, which he acknowledged differs from the prevailing attitudes of the modern era. He also criticised the changing relationship between players, clubs and supporters compared with the period in which he played.
“Professional football has now become brands and mercenaries,” Platini said, as reported by RMC. “We played for the team and for the fans, whereas today players say: I want to go down in history, but they are not attached to the clubs or the fans.”
Platini’s perspective was particularly clear when he discussed last season’s dramatic Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
The first leg produced nine goals, with Paris Saint-Germain winning 5-4, before the teams drew 1-1 in the return fixture. The opening match received widespread praise and was described by international media as the “match of the century”.
Platini, however, said he preferred the second meeting.
“I preferred the 1-1 draw in the second leg,” said the former UEFA president.
The former France captain argued that football’s most impressive moments are not necessarily those that result in goals. A well-timed defensive intervention or an outstanding save, he said, should be appreciated just as much.
“A beautiful defensive intervention and a brilliant save are no less beautiful than scoring a goal,” added the three-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He then delivered his strongest criticism of the first-leg spectacle.
“Goalkeepers have become like sieves and defenders even more so. How can they concede nine goals and call half of it the match of the century?”
Platini continued: “We are truly living in an age of spectacle now.”
His comments reflect a broader argument about what makes a football match memorable. The Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich first leg offered relentless attacking action and nine goals, while the 1-1 return fixture provided a more closely contested encounter with greater emphasis on defensive organisation.
Platini’s preference for the second match underlined his belief that football should be assessed through more than its scoreline or entertainment value. For him, the skill involved in preventing a goal can be as significant as the moment a goal is scored.
Despite the strength of his criticism, Platini accepted that his view should not be regarded as the definitive judgement on football. The sport has a vast and growing global audience, and supporters naturally have different ideas about what makes a game exciting or exceptional.
“There are two billion people talking about football and expressing their emotions,” he said. “I am just one person among them, and perhaps I am not always right.”
