All-time Ballon d'Or Winners XI

Attacking Midfield: Michel Platini

Michel Platini

Michel Platini was a great player that was probably born in the wrong French generation. The man won everything there was to win in football except the FIFA World Cup.

But take nothing away from his ruthlessness when it came to scoring goals. With over 350 goals for club and country, he was a playmaker who always found space to demand the ball and create magic in midfield.

Between 1983 and 1985, Platini won the Ballon d'Or all three times to become the first player to win it in three consecutive years. He also finished third in 1977 and 1980.

And to think that his career was almost ended before it took off due to severe injuries - a double fracture of his right leg when he was 19, breaking his ankle in three places when he was 23.

Before Wenger brought truckloads of French players to Arsenal, Platini himself was in talks for a move to Highbury before Juventus stepped in and signed him up. The Gunners' loss was The Old Lady's gain as Platini, at his peak, led Juve to two Serie A titles and a European Cup.