Portuguese football legend and former FIFA World Player of the Year, LuĆs Figo, has launched a blistering attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, demanding his immediate resignation over what he described as deception, abuse of office and a relentless pursuit of personal enrichment at the expense of world football.
Figo’s explosive intervention, made in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, marks one of the strongest public condemnations yet from a global football icon, adding significant momentum to the growing backlash against Infantino’s leadership.
The former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan star accused the FIFA president of destroying the integrity of an office he once pledged to reform, insisting that his continued stay in office poses a serious threat to the future of the game.
“Today I join others from across our game and call for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President,” Figo declared.
“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 intensified his criticism by describing the events of the past 10 days as the darkest chapter he has witnessed in football administration.
“What I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed,” he said.
“I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.”
The Portuguese football great, who enjoyed a distinguished 20-year professional career, said he had encountered many controversial figures in the sport but none whose actions compared with what he believes has unfolded under Infantino’s watch.
“The man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends is a relic of the game’s past and should have no part in its future,” he added.
Figo’s intervention comes amid one of the biggest crises of Infantino’s presidency following the collapse of a controversial proposal to commercialise FIFA’s flagship tournaments through a private investment structure reportedly valued at $20 billion.
The plan, which would have transferred significant commercial rights linked to FIFA competitions into a privately backed investment vehicle, sparked fierce resistance across the global football community before it was eventually abandoned.
Major football confederations, including UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), reportedly opposed the proposal, warning that football’s most valuable competitions should remain under the collective stewardship of the global game rather than private financial interests.
Critics argued that handing investors substantial influence over tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup would fundamentally alter FIFA’s governance structure and compromise the organisation’s independence.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that several senior FIFA officials distanced themselves from the proposal.
Among those said to have expressed reservations were FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, ArsĆØne Wenger, and Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrƶm, who reportedly indicated that the commercialisation plan originated from Infantino rather than through a collective decision of FIFA’s leadership.
The apparent divisions within football’s governing body have intensified concerns over transparency, accountability and decision-making at FIFA, with governance experts questioning whether adequate consultation took place before discussions over the proposed commercial restructuring began.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has also criticised the organisation’s current direction, further fuelling debate over Infantino’s leadership.
Although Infantino has defended efforts to explore new commercial opportunities as part of FIFA’s long-term financial strategy, opponents insist that any attempt to privatise or fundamentally reshape the commercial ownership of football’s premier competitions must involve broad consultation with member associations, players, clubs and stakeholders across the game.
With Figo now joining an expanding chorus of critics, pressure is mounting on Infantino as questions over FIFA’s governance, transparency and leadership continue to dominate global football.