MADRID: French legend Michel Platini was awarded the Ballon d'Or on three consecutive occasions in 1983, 1984 and 1985, reported Marca.

Interestingly, Barcelona and Argentina captain Lionel Messi (pic) or 'La Pulga' or ''The Flea' may outdo Platini this season.

"Records are there to be beaten. If he wins it again, it's because he deserves it. He's 25 years old and has every opportunity to leave his mark for all eternity," said Platini, who is also the Uefa president in an interview with France Football.

Platini also gave his personal view on French football and his national team.

In his opinion, another French legend Zinedine Zidane may manage the France team one day.

"Someone with Zidane's presence can be a coach. Sometimes you talk to him and he helps put you on the right path. From experience, I know that it's not easy to be a manager without having done it before," said Platini.

France current coach is Didier Deschamps. "He (Deschamps) was a brilliant player and he has had a great coaching career. He has every right to be the manager," said Platini.

Platini expressed less certainty with respect to the players who make up the team. "They need to decide if they're important. They're young. It's hard to tell just now," he said.

Meanwhile, Messi  has also received the backing of the majority of players to have won the Ballon d'Or.

France Football asked 13 of them for their verdict. Seven opted for the Argentine, three for Cristiano Ronaldo, one for Andres Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo and two abstained.

Messi's camp consists of another French legend Raymond Kopa, Luis Suárez, Kevin Keegan,Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Marco van Basten, Matthias Sammer and Andriy Shevchenko.

Giovanni Rivera, Kaká and Franz Beckenbauer opted for Real Madrid's Ronaldo.

Andres Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo received a consolation vote from Fabio Cannavaro, while Alfredo Di Stéfano and Luis Figo preferred not to venture an opinion.

- mD