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20 Greatest European Championship Moments of All-Time

By Jon O'brien

Famous figures from football history gathered on the pitch before the European Cup final between Leeds United and Bayern Munich, (back row from left) Marquitez, Matt Busby, Miguel Munoz and Keizer, (front row from left) Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Jose Augusto, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Famous figures from football history gathered on the pitch before the European Cup final between Leeds United and Bayern Munich, (back row from left) Marquitez, Matt Busby, Miguel Munoz and Keizer, (front row from left) Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Jose Augusto, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) /
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Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini arrives to attend his appeal against a eight year ban from football on February 15, 2016 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich .The 60-year-old Frenchman was banned for eight years on December 21 over a two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment that FIFA leader Sepp Blatter authorised for Platini. Blatter was also banned for eight years. / AFP / MICHAEL BUHOLZER (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BUHOLZER/AFP/Getty Images)
Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini arrives to attend his appeal against a eight year ban from football on February 15, 2016 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich .The 60-year-old Frenchman was banned for eight years on December 21 over a two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment that FIFA leader Sepp Blatter authorised for Platini. Blatter was also banned for eight years. / AFP / MICHAEL BUHOLZER (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BUHOLZER/AFP/Getty Images) /

Platini dominates Euro ‘84

Following his controversial, corrupt and, at times, downright crazy eight-year spell as UEFA President, it’s sometimes easy to forget that Michel Platini was once one of the most gifted and most idolised footballers ever to grace the beautiful game.

Nowhere was that more apparent than the 1984 European Championships in France, where he virtually singlehandedly guided the host nation to victory with nine goals – a record that still stands today.

The now-disgraced Frenchman started as he meant to go on with the opening goal in the opening game against Denmark, and went onto score a brace against Belgium and a hat-trick against Yugoslavia before netting a 119th minute winner in the semi-final against Portugal.

The three-time Ballon d’Or recipient then capped off his remarkable run with the opening goal in France’s 2-0 final win against Spain. If only his behaviour off the pitch had been as commendable as it was on it.

Next: Manuel Amoros’ headbutt