Three Argentina Legends Break Ranks With Public Backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Former Argentina internationals Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Javier Pastore have publicly thrown their support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino as pressure continues to grow around his leadership.
The three former Argentina stars have used social media to defend Infantino, putting them on the opposite side of an increasingly heated debate surrounding FIFA and the future of football’s global leadership.
Infantino Under Growing Pressure
Infantino remains FIFA president despite mounting criticism over the organisation’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The plan, known as the FFE, involved selling a 21 per cent stake in FIFA competitions to private investors. UEFA and the Football Association were among the organisations to condemn the proposal before it was eventually scrapped.
The controversy has continued to follow Infantino, particularly with the next FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027.
Several member associations have reportedly withdrawn their support for the 56-year-old, while Infantino has also faced public criticism from figures within the football community.
However, he continues to have influential supporters.
Three Argentina Stars Take a Stand
Now Cambiasso, Zanetti and Pastore have made their positions clear.
In a statement translated from Spanish, the former Argentina internationals praised Infantino and claimed FIFA has provided current and former players with a greater voice in the sport.
The statement said that over the past decade they had witnessed FIFA’s commitment to player representation, adding that former and current players have been able to contribute through committees, projects and working groups.
The message represented a significant show of support for Infantino at a time when opposition to his leadership has become increasingly vocal.
Zanetti went further, highlighting football’s ability to transform lives and create opportunities around the world.
The former Inter Milan captain said the group remained committed to supporting what they described as the continued evolution of the sport.
They Are Not Alone
The Argentina legends are not the only former players backing Infantino.
Former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has also defended the FIFA president.
Eto’o, who is now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, suggested that much of the current criticism is connected to the upcoming FIFA election.
He has also argued that Infantino’s controversial proposal could eventually return for discussion if the FIFA president is re-elected.
That puts Eto’o, Zanetti, Cambiasso and Pastore firmly among the prominent football figures continuing to support Infantino.
But Opposition Is Growing
Their stance comes just days after a group of current and former players publicly called for change at FIFA.
The group included 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and criticised the organisation’s current leadership, arguing that major decisions have been made without sufficient consultation with players and fans.
Their statement called for significant change and claimed that FIFA’s leadership had moved away from the core values of the game.
That makes the support from three former Argentina internationals particularly notable.
While some former players are demanding change, others believe Infantino’s leadership has brought greater player involvement and development opportunities.
Why Zanetti’s Support Matters
Zanetti’s involvement carries particular weight.
The former Argentina captain remains a hugely respected figure in world football and currently serves as vice-president of Inter Milan.
His public backing therefore gives Infantino another prominent football personality willing to defend his record.
Cambiasso also has a direct connection with FIFA, working as part of the organisation’s Technical Study Group.
Pastore, meanwhile, remains involved in the football industry through his agency, which represents players including Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Their backgrounds mean their support is likely to attract considerable attention.
The FIFA Election Battle
With the FIFA presidential election approaching in March 2027, the divide among football figures could become increasingly significant.
Infantino has already received backing from several major confederations, including the African, South American and Oceania confederations.
At the same time, critics continue to question his leadership and the direction FIFA is taking.
The latest statements from Cambiasso, Zanetti and Pastore demonstrate that Infantino still has strong supporters within the football community.
The Verdict
Gianni Infantino’s position at the head of FIFA remains one of the biggest talking points in world football.
While critics continue to call for change, Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Javier Pastore have now publicly backed the FIFA president, highlighting what they see as progress in player representation and the global development of football.
With the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaching, the battle over Infantino’s future is only likely to intensify.
And the support of three former Argentina stars has added another major twist to the growing FIFA controversy.