Former France playmaker Michel Platini has been elected as UEFA's new president on Friday, beating off competition from Swedish rival Lennart Johansson. Johansson, who was hoping to continue in the post he has occupied since 1990, received 23 votes, four short of Platini who was favored by the majority of Europe's national associations. "This is just the beginning of an adventure. I'm happy to be able to represent European football. I'm very moved and very happy," Platini was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "When I was a footballer, when you won a great victory you received a cup and went on a lap of honor. "This is a great victory for me but I'm not going to do a lap of honour because now the work starts." Platini promised during the elections campaign to cut the number of places available for England, Spain and Italy in the UEFA Champions League from four to three teams.
The 51-year-old started his playing career with French side Nancy in 1972. He then had a spell with Saint Etienne before joining Italian giants Juventus, where he made his reputation as one of the greatest all-time players. Platini won with the Bianconeri two Italian Serie A titles, one European Cup Winners' Cup, one European Super Cup and one Champions League triumph. He finished top scorer in Serie A for three consecutive seasons and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1985. On the international level, Platini guided France to the semi-finals in the 1982 World Cup and led them to European Championship glory two years later. He announced his retirement from football in 1987.
