He considers himself a reformer, has acquired Lebanese citizenship, and conducted some of the decade’s most peculiar press conferences. Gianni Infantino is a figure transforming football while not shying away from expressing his opinions.
Who is Infantino, what is his connection with Lebanon, and why is he always at the center of controversies? Infantino was born in 1970 in the Swiss town of Brig.
His parents were migrants from Italy, originating from Val Camonica and Calabria. He grew up in a modest family, shaped by economic struggles and his parents' guiding principle of "striving higher."
Infantino recalls that his passion for football came from his parents, particularly his father. "As a child, I was a crazy football enthusiast: I attended every game of my local team.
I used to go to matches wearing an old football shirt and jeans," he says. However, he now laments that he must watch games in a suit and tie.
Infantino pursued legal studies at the University of Fribourg, mastering numerous languages and becoming an expert in sports law. In the 2000s, he worked as a legal advisor for football leagues across Europe.
In 2004, he became the Director of Legal Services at UEFA, Deputy General Secretary in 2007, and General Secretary two years later. During this period, he demonstrated his expertise in creating complex financial and organizational systems.
In 2016, he was elected President of FIFA. When he took office, FIFA was embroiled in a series of corruption scandals.
Infantino introduced himself as a reformer, but his reforms have sparked both criticism and praise. He has implemented significant changes in FIFA: expanding the number of teams participating in the World Cup, increasing prize money, extending media rights, and transforming FIFA into a media giant.
Under his leadership, the Middle East became a hub for major football tournaments. After obtaining Lebanese citizenship, Infantino announced plans to support the construction of a modern 20,000–30,000-seat stadium in the country.
This decision drew some criticism, as many people in Lebanon have been waiting for years to obtain citizenship. At the same time, Infantino pledged to support Lebanese youth and infrastructure through football.
Infantino's career has been marked by numerous controversies. For instance, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he delivered a peculiar speech: "Today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African, today I feel gay, today I feel disabled, today I feel a migrant." Critics viewed this as a condemnation of Western hypocrisy, while supporters perceived it as a bold political statement.
Gianni Infantino is not just an ordinary football administrator; he is a political figure on a global scale. Upon acquiring Lebanese citizenship, he further strengthened his role in turning football into a tool for diplomacy, economics, and geopolitical agreements.
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