UEFA President Michel Platini will run for reelection next year to the post he was first elected to in March 2007. Platini, one of the world's greatest players in the 1980s when he led France to the 1984 European Championship title and two World Cup semifinal appearances, dethroned president Lennart Johansson of Sweden to earn his first stint at the helm of European soccer's governing body.

"I am a happy man and a happy president and I am very happy to be working with you all," Platini told members of the UEFA Congress. We have already achieved a lot together and I am convinced we have many more things to do in the future. That is why I am announcing my candidature for the job of UEFA president."

Platini, who is seen as being close to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has advocated of widening the scope of soccer in Europe to smaller countries and has railed against the influence of big business concerns buying up clubs and inflating transfer prices.

His first term was marked by the awarding of the 2012 European Championship to Poland and Ukraine, the first time the continent's showpiece tournament has gone to countries in the former Soviet bloc.