Platini: Juve should win it

Michel Platini has insisted that Juventus have the strength to hold on to top place and claim the Serie A title, and also insisted that Deco is the rightful winner of the Ballon d'Or.

Platini, who is an iconic former player of Juve, believes that current Bianconeri coach Fabio Capello has the players at his disposal to maintain the pace in Serie A and take the Scudetto.

"Juve are the strongest," the Frenchman told Il Giornale.

"The 15 points more than Inter is confirmation of that, and the gap to Milan is also important.

"Capello has at his disposal two of the world's best players: [Gianluigi] Buffon, who is simply the best goalkeeper, and [Gianluca] Zambrotta - who has put distance between himself and Roberto Carlos."

Andrei Shevchenko is set to be unveiled as the winner of the prestigious France Football award, but Platini believes Portugal international Deco would be a more worthy winner.

"I vote for Deco," added Platini. "He won everything - the [Portuguese] league and the [European] Cup and even got second place at the European Championship.

"If I have to indicate the strongest player I'd say Ronaldinho, but the criteria referred to results obtained on the international level.

"That's why I would say Shevchenko, who is good, does not have the same credentials."

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you can tell he's getting older, he's going senile!

he's a frenchman, so what did you expect?

Hes not said anything unreasonable about Juve being the best, just like it wouldnt be unreasonable for baresi to say Milan are the best. We will find out by the end of the season.

As far as deco is concened though, he votes for him because Deco "won everything" and sheva didnt, Im sure he voted for Nedved last season whop has such a huge trophy cabinet

I have a refined wc paper with Platini's face on it

Juve gonna stick on the top like a piece of **** just before Christmas, Forza Milan gonna be the champion again this year at the end of the season (Could win Champion league as well if we have a fit Stam back.)

Platini does have a point though, if the criteria specify international performance, then Deco surely ranks pretty high. Obviously such a criteria is unfair as it rules out players from countries that are not strong internationally, such as Sheva, Weah, etc etc.

Originally Posted by Giovanni

I have a refined wc paper with Platini's face on it

Guess I'm going to have to change brand of toilet paper, from Cruyff to Platini.

Originally Posted by Henrik

Platini does have a point though, if the criteria specify international performance, then Deco surely ranks pretty high. Obviously such a criteria is unfair as it rules out players from countries that are not strong internationally, such as Sheva, Weah, etc etc.

come on, deco would be a shame in years to come just like sammer was and belanov, and so on

i think he's a good midfielder, but if he must be awarded then why not Pirlo or Seedorf? i mean, we are at the same level of performances and i would keep the milan ones any day

deco golden ball would make france football a joke.and it's not all about those criteria..luckily there are some rules, but they must be interpretated by human reason, and deco despite having won a lot, is simply not as good as shevcnhenko

i could accept ronaldinho but not deco

My point was not that Deco is the best player around, but rather that IF the criteria for the Golden Ball heavily favour those who have done well in International competitions, then Deco has a better shot than Sheva at winning the award.

Player of the year, all categories is Sheva or Ronaldino IMO.

Originally Posted by Henrik

My point was not that Deco is the best player around, but rather that IF the criteria for the Golden Ball heavily favour those who have done well in International competitions, then Deco has a better shot than Sheva at winning the award.

Player of the year, all categories is Sheva or Ronaldino IMO.

Enrico i see your point, but the throphies won aren't just the only criterion, there are many others and some of them not written

i heard one year ago that there are 4 written criteria and consistency is one of them, maybe even the fair play.

The winner must be a symbol of football all over the world

We agree on what should happen Giovanni , you just seem to have more faith in the system than me