Michael Platini is not a fan of football as part of the Olympic Games. France will play at the Games in Paris this summer under the leadership of Thierry Henry, but the former UEFA president won’t be watching.
With the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta in their ranks, France are considered big football favorites at their home country’s Olympic Games this summer. A number of big French stars will be keen to take part, including Kylian Mbappe. But his new club Real Madrid wouldn’t let him.
At Platini, however, the competition is much less popular. He replied that he was not interested in the French Olympic football team Midi Liber When asked if he was going to see Henry’s men. ‘Football is only played because it fills the stadium. Football simply attracts more viewers.’
But football is not strictly an Olympic sport. All those B, C, D teams… really pointless. By this, Platini refers to the fact that countries are in principle only allowed to call up players over the age of 23, with the exception of several supply players, meaning the biggest stars are missing. ‘It’s a third-rate competition with no value.’
Check out all our videos here