Platini slams Infantino: not the man to lead world football

Platini's critique of Infantino

Michel Platini, the former UEFA president, has publicly criticized Gianni Infantino, saying he was never the right man to lead world football.

The two men know each other well, with Infantino having served as UEFA secretary-general while Platini led UEFA.

Platini told Foot Mercato that Infantino lacks the qualities of a FIFA president and does not possess the stature needed to govern world football.

He added, \"Infantino is a good secretary-general at FIFA, but not the right leader for the organization; he is more focused on politics than on developing the game.\"

He explained: \"Leadership in FIFA must be different; it should be like a striker—direct, decisive, and focused on the game.\" He also criticized Infantino for being enamored with wealthy backers and noted that during his time as secretary-general there were others in UEFA who ran things for him.

Platini concluded that his own disputes were used against him, and he says Infantino contributed to dragging him to court, even if he didn't start the case.

And to keep things lively, perhaps the board could use a bit of humor: if football governance is about wealth and politics, maybe we need goal-line technology to decide who actually runs the show, not just who scores the goals.

Punchline 1: If football governance runs on politics, maybe we should install Video Audit Review in the boardroom.

Punchline 2: Or perhaps we need a striker who scores goals and not just invoices — balance the books with a bit of football instinct.