Former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo has delivered a scathing indictment of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, publicly calling for his resignation amidst a swirl of controversies that include a failed World Cup privatization scheme and the widely criticized award of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to US president Donald Trump.

Figo, the Portuguese football legend who won the Ballon d’Or in 2000, joined a growing chorus of voices expressing no confidence in Infantino’s leadership. The FIFA President is reportedly losing support, with the Welsh FA becoming the first nation to officially withdraw its backing ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also insisted Infantino should step down.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Figo did not mince words: “Today I join others from across our game and call for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President. Infantino has debased the office that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve. He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.” Figo posted.

World Cup privatization and the FIFA Peace Prize

A major point of contention has been Infantino’s proposal to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors, a scheme that faced strong rejection from both UEFA and CONCACAF. UEFA has since declared it has no confidence in the FIFA head. US president Trump publicly denied any involvement in the failed privatization plan, despite reports suggesting he has been privately ignoring phone calls from the FIFA boss.

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Further fueling the controversy was Infantino’s decision to award the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump. This move was reportedly a source of “deep embarrassment” for some within FIFA, adding to the perception of a presidency adrift.

Accusations of self-interest

Figo’s criticism extends beyond policy decisions, directly accusing Infantino of personal gain. In a written article for the Daily Mail, Figo suggested Infantino was seeking a substantial personal payout. “It’s not honest when you fail to mention that, after you have delivered the head of the World Cup on a platter to your mates in DC, they are going to give you a job worth five times your current salary,” Figo wrote, implying Infantino was angling for a $30m-a-year job for himself.

The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star emphasized that football’s financial discussions should focus on grassroots development, not on private investors or “bloated administrator salaries.” As pressure mounts on Infantino, the football world watches closely to see the implications for FIFA’s leadership ahead of the 2027 election.

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