Michel Platini (France)

One of the greatest playmakers in the history of the game, Michel Platini typified the player wearing jersey No 10. He was the orchestrator, topscorer, free-kick specialist and in charge of every attack his teams built up both at club and national team level.

Platini was rewarded with a place on France’s 1978 World Cup squad, but the team failed to reach the second phase.

Things didn’t take off for real internationally until after the next World Cup, in Spain, 1982. Platini didn’t have the same fortunes in the World Cup. Twice ousted in the semi-finals, France played some fantastic football in a number of games.

The highlight of his career instead came in the European Championships held on home soil in 1984. He went on to dominate that tournament like no player in history has ever done before or after. Nine goals in five games and they came from everywhere and every time he attempted to. He retired still a young man, just shy of his 32nd birthday, in 1987 after 680 appearances and 368 goals of which 72 matches and 41 goals were with France.