Football legend Michel Platini encountered a burglar at his villa in the south of France on Friday, a source close to the police investigation informed AFP.
Platini, 70, heard a noise in the garden of his property in Cassis early in the morning and came face to face with a masked man, who fled with several trophies and medals, according to the source. The thieves specifically targeted the garden pavilion, where most of the trophies were displayed.
As per reports, approximately 20 of his trophies and medals from his illustrious career were taken.
The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed the opening of an investigation into aggravated burglary at Michel Platini’s home to the French media group RTL. The local gendarmerie brigade is conducting the initial investigations.
Platini played 72 times for France and won the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s top player three consecutive years from 1983 to 1985. He led France to the semi-finals of the World Cup in both 1982 and 1986.
The former French captain, a star of Juventus and Saint Etienne, is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and was ranked seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.
In recognition of his accomplishments, he was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1985 and promoted to Officer in 1998. Shortly after leaving the pitch for the final time, Platini turned to coaching, becoming the French national coach in 1988.
In December 2015, Platini was banned from international football for eight years following a FIFA investigation that revealed he had accepted an improper payment from Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA.
