Inside the White House, US President Donald Trump is enthusiastically speaking. He turned to point to the hairless man, who was smiling innocently like a child: He is like a child on Christmas morning, just opening his eyes and seeing gifts at the base of a tree. That excitement, I have to say, is very easy to spread".
That man is Gianni Infantino - FIFA President, who is known as the "king of football". Mr. Trump may be half-joking, but that's not true. Because in the world of football, no one has more power than Infantino. He can turn a flashy idea into reality: From the 48-team World Cup, to the 32-team Club World Cup. He travels on a special vehicle, takes photos with the leaders, and shows off himself on Instagram in front of 3 million followers. And it always exudes the innocence and excitement that Mr. Trump described.
But in the end, who is Gianni Infantino really? A poor young man, the son of an Italian immigrant worker, has climbed to the top to "clean up" FIFA? Or is he a clever political player who knows how to make good use of football in the global power game?
From an illegal boy to a sports lawyer
Infantino was born in 1970 in Brig-Glis, a small town in the Swiss Alps. He is the youngest child in a family of three siblings. Gianni's childhood was associated with illness: from birth, he had to be given blood to survive - blood from one person in England and one person in Serbia. That story was later told by him, as a "international" beginning for the rest of his life.
Infantino's family is poor. His father, Vinenzo, was a railway worker who had to travel day and night on the train route across Europe. His mother, Maria, helps sell newspapers and cigarettes at the station. In Brig, many Swiss still consider the Italian people as "foreign". Gianni, with red and gray hair, was teased by friends and had to close the door and cry. That inferiority complex has haunted him throughout his childhood.
But Gianni also soon showed his passion for football. The Inter Milan idol closed his eyes on Gazzetta dello Sport every day. On the pitch, he can only play for the third-tier team in his home country, but likes to worry about the shirt, sponsorship, and organization. Friends call it the "football management blood" that comes out early.
Not good enough to be a player, Infantino chose to study law. He told himself: "If I can't play football, I will be the player's lawyer." And it was this path that took him to UEFA.
Supporting role in UEFA and a surprising opportunity
Initially, Infantino was just a quiet lawyer in the UEFA legal department. But thanks to his foreign language proficiency - he speaks 6 languages - and his proficiency, he quickly received attention. colleagues remember him as a polite person, sometimes a bit awkward, but every time he enters the meeting room, he shines with witty stories.
Under Michel platini, Infantino has advanced like a missile. He is a familiar face on the Champions League draw stage, with a dry voice when reading the names of the teams. At that time, no one thought of the prospect of Infantino becoming FIFA President. It is believed that the seat will belong to platini, the prince of French football.
But when platini was caught up in a financial scandal and banned from operations, a sudden power vacuum appeared. And Infantino, who was once considered a loyal assistant, suddenly saw an open road ahead.
The spectacular breakthrough in 2016
When Infantino announced his bid for FIFA President, many people thought he was just a "prosecutor" while platini sought to escape. But he really got involved. Infantino has traveled around the world, promising reform, promising to double the support for federations.
The short message "Fif's money is your money" rang out in the election hall in February 2016, making the entire audience applaud. That promise is stronger than any commitment to integrity or transparency.
And then, when the victory was announced, Infantino shook his hand, placed his hand on his chest, promising to "restore the FIFA image". That was the biggest turning point of his life. From a quiet lawyer, Infantino became the "new king" of world football.
Building the image of the "king of football"
Since 2016, Infantino has completely transformed. He flew everywhere by private jet, appeared with the national champion, standing next to the football superstar. On Instagram, he called FIFA the official happiness provider of humanity.
The Swiss press nicknamed him "Lord of the Sun" of football, reminiscent of Louis XIV. Infantino's personal brand is increasingly being built with great attention. The new Club World Cup trophy even engraved his name twice - a symbol of the period when football was personalized around FIFA President.
Controversy and conflict
However, along with the spotlight are endless controversies. He promised transparency, but many FIFA independent committees were dissolved, and power was concentrated in the hands of the Council under his control. Many officials resigned, accusing FIFA of "returning to the feudal model".
Infantino's name appears in the Panama file, being investigated for using private jets or for personal expenses from the budget. Although he was eventually cleared of the sentence, his "reformed" image was shaken. In particular, his controversial political connections: Closeness to Trump, praising Putin at the 2018 World Cup, standing side by side with Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar despite criticism of human rights. For supporters, it is a necessary Realpolitik. To critics, that is proof that Infantino droped football and chose politics.
Undeniable achievements
However, it is difficult to deny the financial achievements that Infantino has brought to FIFA. Revenue in the next 4 years is expected to exceed 10 billion USD - double the previous cycle. billions of dollars are returned to member federations, helping many poor countries have football infrastructure.
Infantino also expanded the men's World Cup to 48 teams, the Club World Cup to 32 teams - something controversial but bringing opportunities to many countries. He runs FIFA as a miniature United Nations with 210 members. That role is not easy at all, commented a New Zealand official.
The Long Shadow of Power
Since taking charge, Infantino has changed a lot. The gentle "Piccolo" boy has now become a strict, decisive, sometimes cold leader. Even his former UEFA friend admitted that he doesnt recognize the Gianni of the past.
He could be in charge until 2031, which is 15 years - the longest reign in FIFA's history. To critics, it was a sign of power turning Infantino into a true football King, away from his original promise.
Open-ended questions
Back to the image in the White House. Mr. Trump compared Infantino to a child on Christmas morning, his eyes brightly lit in front of a pine tree filled with gifts. For nearly a decade, "the child" was still excited, but now he is no longer a carefree gift. These are trophies, billion-dollar contracts, shaking hands with the head and even doubts about human rights and politics.
Gianni Infantino - he is the "reformer who brings football to connect the world", or is he just a global politician, using football as a chess game? No one is sure the answer. Because that game is still going on, with every World Cup, every controversial decision, every excited smile he always keeps on his face.
