Figo urges FIFA chief Infantino to step aside after World Cup investment plan collapses

Portuguese football great Luis Figo has called on Gianni Infantino to resign as president of FIFA, accusing him of lying, deception and putting his personal interests ahead of the game.

The former Real Madrid and Barcelona player made the demand on Wednesday in a post on his official account on X.

“Today I join others from across the football world in calling for Gianni Infantino’s resignation as FIFA president,” Figo wrote.

His intervention adds to growing opposition to Infantino remaining in charge of world football’s governing body. The pressure has increased after Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to investors collapsed.

Figo said Infantino had failed to uphold the standards associated with the presidency of FIFA.

“He has demeaned the office he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and pursued his personal interests at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve,” added the Portugal legend.

The former midfielder also claimed Infantino had lost the backing of people close to him and of senior figures within the organisation.

“He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers and the overwhelming majority of people who have devoted their lives to this sport, and even, it seems, the winner of the FIFA Peace Prize, Donald Trump,” Figo said.

He ended his statement with a direct call for Infantino to leave immediately.

“It is too late to save his dignity, but it is not too late to save football. He must go. Now.”

Infantino has faced increasing resistance over his continued leadership of FIFA, with reports of opposition among senior figures in the organisation forming part of the wider dispute over his position.

The campaign against him has also been set against differing levels of support across football’s regional power bases. Arab and African backing has strengthened Infantino’s hopes of resisting the European-led opposition, according to the source article.

The collapse of the proposal to sell part of the World Cup to investors has nevertheless intensified the criticism directed at the FIFA president. Figo’s public statement places one of the most prominent former players of his generation among those demanding a change at the top of the organisation.

Figo played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona during a distinguished career and remains one of Portugal’s best-known football figures. His comments were not presented as a formal FIFA motion, but as a public appeal for Infantino to resign.

The FIFA president’s position is therefore facing a more visible challenge, with Figo arguing that the issue is no longer about protecting Infantino’s reputation but about safeguarding football itself.