Platini Backs Portugal for World Cup Glory, Addresses David's Juventus Struggles

As the 2026 World CupCompetition·World Cup approaches, football legend Michel Platini has weighed in on the tournament's potential victors, offering a nuanced perspective that balances perceived strength with a personal conviction. Speaking at an event organised by the Vialli and Mauro FoundationVenue·Vialli and Mauro Foundation in Turin, the former JuventusTeam·Juventus and France icon acknowledged his home nation, France, as the most formidable side "on paper." However, Platini revealed a more speculative favourite, stating he would "put a euro on Portugal" to lift the coveted trophy.

Beyond the international stage, Platini also addressed the challenging first season for Canadian international Jonathan DavidPlayer·Jonathan David at JuventusTeam·Juventus. David, currently a joint top goalscorer at the World CupCompetition·World Cup with three goals alongside Lionel MessiPlayer·Lionel Messi and Deniz UndavPlayer·Deniz Undav, endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign in Turin. Despite featuring in 34 Serie ACompetition·Serie A matches, the 26-year-old striker managed only six goals for the Bianconeri, missing 13 big chances – more than any other JuventusTeam·Juventus player, according to reports.

Platini suggested that David's struggles might not be entirely his own doing, drawing a comparison to his own playing experience. "I can say that for someone who does what I did, a midfielder, integration can be less complicated: in midfield, you touch the ball a thousand times; in attack, it depends on the team," Platini explained. This perspective highlights the systemic reliance a striker has on the team's overall play and service.

Jonathan DavidPlayer·Jonathan David joined JuventusTeam·Juventus in the summer of 2025 on a free transfer from LilleTeam·Lille, signing a five-year contract. His performance was widely considered underwhelming, with Italian newspaper Tuttosport describing him as a "diesel engine" due to his need for a warm-up period to reach full capacity. Reports indicate that JuventusTeam·Juventus's system under coach Luciano Spalletti, which often utilised a single centre-forward, was not optimally suited for David's style of play. Data analytics firms had even rated his compatibility with JuventusTeam·Juventus's tactics with only two stars prior to his transfer.

Despite a brief hot streak at the start of 2026, where he scored four goals in five matches, David only added one more Serie ACompetition·Serie A goal after February 1st. His playing time diminished towards the end of the season, with one match as an unused substitute and only seven minutes played in another. JuventusTeam·Juventus is reportedly open to offers for the striker, yet David himself has expressed a desire to remain at the club for the 2026/27 season, complicating the club's plans for attacking reinforcements.

David's World CupCompetition·World Cup performances, however, have showcased qualities that were less evident during his time in Serie ACompetition·Serie A. Corriere dello Sport noted his "speed of execution, positional awareness, courage and precision" on the international stage. Teammate Weston McKenniePlayer·Weston McKennie has publicly supported David, while coach Luciano Spalletti reportedly made a light-hearted remark about David's isolation in the dressing room, attributing it to a culinary faux pas. David himself stated in November that his priority is team victory and performance, believing that individual chances will follow.

JuventusTeam·Juventus concluded the 2025/26 Serie ACompetition·Serie A season in 6th place with 69 points, securing qualification for the 2026-2027 Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League. They also reached the knockout phase play-offs in the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League and the quarter-finals of the Coppa ItaliaCompetition·Coppa Italia. Kenan YıldızPlayer·Kenan Yıldız was the team's top goalscorer in the league with 10 goals. David's future at the club remains a key point of discussion as the transfer window approaches, with his World CupCompetition·World Cup form potentially influencing his market value and JuventusTeam·Juventus's decisions.