In the eye of the storm: the story of Gianni Infantino and how he came to power in FIFA

In the preview of World Cup Qatar 2022, Gianni Infantino took all the flashes. At Doha’s Main Media Center, the FIFA president made some controversial statements, seeking to defend the organization of the championship. Especially given the accusations of violation of human rights, with the tragic consequence of the death of the workers who worked on the construction of the sports venues.

“The sad thing is that in recent weeks we have witnessed a double standard. The Europeans teach us many lessons. I am European and we should apologize for giving lessons. I came here six years ago and the first thing I did was talk about the workers. How many European companies earn money here or in other countries in the area and have taken care of the workers? None. They still earned less if they did. We do. Here I defend soccer and injustices. FIFA cares and Qatar, too. Do you know how many journalists came to an event about the disabled two days ago? Four”, he claimed.

His statements did not take long to go around the world, once having the head honcho of FIFA in the eye of the storm. Situation that is not atypical for him. Although his name always seems to be peppered with controversy, very little is known of his life story. What are his origins? When did he get involved with soccer? And how did I become president of FIFA? These and more questions are answered in the following note.

Gianni’s B-side

Giovanni Vicenzo Infantino was born on March 23, 1970 in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. He comes from a family of Italian immigrants. His father Vincenzo Infantino, a man dedicated to business and his mother Maria Minolfi, a housekeeper. The first years of his life were lived with many financial deprivations. Money was not left over at home, more than to cover basic needs. That was not an impediment for Gianni to successfully complete his primary and secondary studies.

His taste for soccer is something that has always run through his veins. At the school level, he tried to try his luck with the ball, although he did not have the talent, much less the support of his family, who always preferred to have him closer to books than to a pitch.

Even when he couldn’t do it as a player, Infantino remained linked to football. He did it through higher education. He entered the University of Freiburg to study law linked to football governance. His first professional experiences were as an adviser to football institutions throughout Europe. At 18 he took over as president of a local team from his native Brig. The first major position he recorded on his resume.

rise to power

Little by little he was making a name for himself in the big leagues. Thus he managed to join UEFA in 2000. Nine years later the opportunity he had been waiting for came. They appointed him as general secretary, after spending two years as a substitute member. In that position, he met Michel Platini, with whom he forged a close relationship, becoming his right-hand man and support when (2015) the Frenchman announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency.

Until then, Infantino was only known for being the visible face of UEFA for the Champions League draws. However, after Platini was suspended for 8 years – due to the irregular sale of tickets for Brazil 2014 – the highest body in European football decided that the Swiss should represent them to sit in the presidential chair. Even the former ‘Les Bleus’ player was in favor of Infantino’s candidacy.

Despite the fact that his name did not enjoy weight or prestige, the mere fact of having Platini on his side left him practically free to succeed Joseph Blatter, which ended up happening. On February 26, 2016, he was elected the ninth FIFA president, beating Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussei of Jordan, and Jerome Champagne of France. In 2019 he was re-elected until 2023, in a vote where he was the only candidate.