Platini names his two World Cup favourites, discusses David’s Juventus struggles

Former Juventus star Michel Platini says France are ‘on paper’ the best team at the World Cup, but he’d ‘put a euro’ on Portugal, and explains why Canada star Jonathan David failed to impress in his first season in Turin.

France and Juventus legend Platini spoke about the World Cup and Juventus striker David during an event organised by the Vialli and Mauro Foundation in Turin.

Platini: France the strongest World Cup team

The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, and Platini seems quite happy with the new format.

“It’s right to expand it, right to give new realities a chance: I don’t know if 48 teams are too few or too many, but I know something had to be done for nations like those in Africa,” he said via Gazzetta.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reveals that Italian legend Del Piero inspired the teams’ walkout at the 2026 World Cup, and Platini is a big fan of this change.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: General view before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium vs Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“I find the moment of the anthems, with the teams lined up in that way, very evocative,” he said.

When asked about the favourite to win the World Cup, Platini replied: “On paper, my France team is the strongest, but I’d put a euro on Portugal.”

Canada international David is the World Cup’s top goalscorer alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Germany’s Deniz Undav, all with three goals.

epa07655182 (FILE) – UEFA president Michel Platini attends the draw ceremony for the UEFA Champions League group stage at Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, 28 August 2014 (re-issued 18 June 2019). Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested as part of an investigation in the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, media reports claimed on 18 June 2019. Platini is believed to have been taken to the office of the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police (OCLCIFF) in Nanterre, near Paris, France. EPA-EFE/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

David, however, failed to impress in his first year at Juventus and the Bianconeri are reportedly open to offers for the 26-year-old.

Platini, however, feels that David’s struggles in Turin were not entirely his fault.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Jonathan David #10 of Canada celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

“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 concluded.