For two years, the French suffered because of a shocking defeat by their biggest rival, Germany, in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
In one of the most dramatic matches in history, the "tricolors" led 1982:3 in extra time in Spain in 1, but allowed the persistent Germans to win penalties, in which they won 5:4.
The magic quadrilateral of Michel Platini - Alan Gires - Jean Tigana - Luis Fernandez (that nickname was given to them by the journalists) was waiting for a new chance. The first one came two years after the "national tragedy" - at the European Championship.
France hosted the seven best national teams of the Old Continent. Michel Hidalgo's "dream team" was preparing for the crown, and one player in that phenomenal lineup was ahead of all - of course, it was Platini.
“What a game maker that was! He could pass the ball to his teammates through the eyes of a needle, and his calmness in the penalty area should not be wasted", said the legendary captain of Manchester United and the English national team, Bobby Charlton.
In 1973, Platini made his debut for the first team of Nancy, although a year earlier during routine examinations it was found that he had breathing problems and that his heart was too weak to play football seriously.
He stayed in Nancy until 1979, then spent three seasons in Saint-Etienne and then became the main player of Juventus...
"I was born as a football player. I was born on the street, she also helped me overcome my health problems", said Platini, who scored one goal against the Danes in the group stage at the 1984 European Championship, and three each against Belgium and Yugoslavia.
The nation was delirious…
Platini has the status of a deity in France. He earned that position the most in the incredible semi-final with Portugal at the Marseille "Velodrome" - June 23, 1984. He will remain inscribed in all histories.
The "Tricolors" broke Portugal in the first half, but scored only once (Jean-Francois Domerc). Rui Jordao then won extra time, and then in the eighth minute of the resumption, shocked the packed stadium in France's largest port city.
Until the 114th minute, the French were afraid, and then their idol entered the scene - he avoided the start of the Portuguese defenders and found Domerko himself, who put the ball into the net for 2:2.
Everyone was getting ready for penalties, for a new drama... A minute before the end, Tigana shot, and Platini ran to the rebound and calmly sent it into the goal.
The final with Spain was just a formality, and Platini grabbed the title of the best scorer with his ninth goal in the tournament and gave the task to his successors to overtake him.
Championship team
Championship team: Harald Schumacher (FR Germany), João Pinto (Portugal), Karl-Heinz Ferster (FR Germany), Morten Olsen (Denmark), Andreas Breme (FR Germany), Fernando Chalana (Portugal), Alan Gires (France), Jean Tigana (France), Frank Arnesen (Denmark), Michel Platini (France), Rudi Feller (FR Germany).
Bonus video:
