Mexico 86

The album is enriched with a fine photograph signed by Michel Platini, depicting him celebrating his equalizing goal against Brazil during the legendary Guadalajara quarterfinal.

Mexico hosted the 1986 World Cup, remembered above all as Diego Maradona’s tournament, as he almost single-handedly led Argentina to its second world title, eight years after winning on home soil.

But for French football, Mexico 86 tells another story: the final campaign of the first great generation of the modern Bleus. Four years earlier, in Seville, France had fallen at the gates of the final against West Germany after a semifinal that became a national trauma. In the interim, France had won Euro 1984 on home soil, the first major title in its history, led by its famous “carré magique”: Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and Luis Fernandez. At thirty-one, Michel Platini was then at the summit of an exceptional career, having just won three consecutive Ballons d’Or, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, an unprecedented feat at the time. With Juventus, he had also won the European Cup in 1985, a year after Euro 1984, which had been “his” tournament: nine goals in five matches, captain and playmaker of the team that won the first international trophy in the history of French football.

June 21, 1986: Brazil–France. On one side, Brazil with Sócrates, Zico, Careca and Júnior. On the other, France with Platini, Giresse, Tigana, Fernandez, Rocheteau, Bossis and Bats.

Brazil opened the score through Careca in the 17th minute. In the 40th minute, a cross from Dominique Rocheteau was deflected inside the box. Platini appeared at the far post. 1–1. It is precisely this moment that the signed photograph accompanying our copy celebrates.

It was the first and only goal conceded by Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos during regular play throughout the entire World Cup, scored by Michel Platini, who turned thirty-one that very day!

After extra time, the score remained 1–1. Platini missed his penalty, having never before missed one in his career; his shot flew over the crossbar. But Sócrates had also failed against Bats, and Júlio César then hit the post. The last French taker stepped up. Luis Fernandez scored.

France: 4. Brazil: 3.

The Bleus reached the semifinal; four days later they again faced West Germany, as in 1982. This time the Germans won 2–0, without the tragic drama of Seville. France then beat Belgium 4–2 after extra time and finished third in the tournament.

Since its first collection devoted to a World Cup in 1970, Panini progressively transformed the tournament into a universal album: players, teams, badges and stadiums are collected, traded and pasted in as the competition unfolds. Mexico 86 is the fifth Panini album devoted to a World Cup, after those of 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1982.