FIFA, Infantino and the Ballon d'Or, Al-Khelaïfi speaks out

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·30 September 2026

FIFA, Infantino and the Ballon d'Or, Al-Khelaïfi speaks out

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, notably president of Paris Saint-Germain and the EFC (European Club Association), spoke to the press in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the latter’s general assembly. He was notably asked to discuss the FIFA presidency, both the controversies surrounding Gianni Infantino and the possibility of replacing him. The Ballon d’Or was also brought up.

Al-Khelaïfi: “FIFA is not for me.”

Taking on the role of FIFA president? I have absolutely no interest in FIFA, no ambition to sit there, assured the 52-year-old Qatari executive. I do not think I am the right person for it and, in reality, I do not want to go there. I enjoy what I do and I am having a good time. We want to keep building positive projects together. FIFA is not for me.

Al-Khelaïfi: “Instead of improving our sport, we are wasting our time dealing with problems and difficulties.”

Infantino’s presidency? It is truly sad to see the current situation. Instead of improving our sport, we are wasting our time dealing with problems and difficulties. Football works when we listen to one another. When we are transparent with each other. But above all, when we are honest. And whatever our differences, football is bigger than all of us and matters more than any one of us.

After a few rumors, mostly suggesting that Al-Khelaïfi did not want the job, he answered as clearly as possible. He does not want the FIFA presidency, as he is happy in his current role. Another option will therefore have to emerge to challenge Infantino.

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The latter has, quite logically, come under heavy criticism lately. The great difficulty is finding a successor who can help move things forward again with a certain sense of unity. One can appreciate that the PSG president avoided adding more fuel to the controversy and criticism, when the main thing is to find a way forward. There were still some digs at Infantino’s methods, however. It remains to be seen who could take over the reins of football.

On a lighter note, and since it is the big topic of the moment, Al-Khelaïfi was also asked about his favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Al-Khelaïfi: “We have three: Dembélé, Kvara, and also Fabián Ruiz”

“You’re going to get me into trouble with the other clubs. I have great respect for all players like Kylian (Mbappé) or Yamal. They are exceptional players. I know Kylian very well, of course. He is an incredible, talented player, and certainly one of the best in the world. I would obviously choose one of my own players. We have three: Dembélé, Kvara, and also Fabián Ruiz. Fabián Ruiz is the only one who has won every trophy. So I think Dembélé, Kvara, and Fabián Ruiz deserve it, because they have won everything. I think they played very well, they were fantastic.”

Although he tried to avoid the trap, the PSG president still ended up speaking with a clear preference. That is only logical, even if he was there in his capacity as an EFC executive. In any case, it is easy enough to agree that the Parisian candidates are very serious contenders. Each has strong arguments, but being from the same club could also split the vote against their main rivals. Roll on the result, and a few days of debate afterward, so that attention can then return to the team trophies still to be played for.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.