Michel Platini took some time out to be interviewed by the Efe news agency and once again gave his opinion that "in a World Cup year, the Ballon d'Or should go to one of the world champions", clearly referring to Germany. "Many players may well deserve the Ballon d'Or, but I am of the opinion that in a World Cup year, it should be awarded to a world champion. This is in line with what I said four years ago when, in my opinion, the award should have gone to a Spanish player", he insisted.

The UEFA president, who is presently in Madrid meeting members of several European football federations, believes that the Spain team "will be able to rebuild itself after it has come to the end of a cycle". "The Spain team has enjoyed tremendous success over the past few years, although I think that it is coming to the end of a cycle. However, I am convinced that it will be able to rebuild itself upon solid foundations", he observed.

Platini also expressed his desire for the FIFA report on the Russia and Qatar World Cup elections to be published in its entirety. "I would like the whole report to be published, always in line with the rules laid down by the Ethics Committee. And of course, if anything untoward has occurred, there should be another vote", he concluded.