Gabriel Hanot
Gabriel Hanot was a French footballer and journalist. The European Cup – which became the UEFA Champions League – was the brainchild of Hanot, as was the Ballon d'Or, an award that honours the male player deemed to have performed the best over the previous year.Biography
He made 12 appearances for the France national football team, with his debut coming on 8 March 1908 against Switzerland. He made another 10 appearances for them up to World War I. After the war he played one more time for France, as captain against Belgium on 9 March 1919.
Following an aviation accident he gave up football and became a journalist. He is credited with introducing the professional championship in France, in 1932.
Hanot and his colleague at L'Équipe Jacques Ferran were the prime movers behind getting the European Cup established.
