The Athletic FC Podcast The Most Powerful Man in World Football
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Jun 13, 2025 In a captivating chat, Daniel Nellen, cousin of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, shares personal anecdotes from their childhood on the same street. He delves into Infantino's rise from migrant roots to football's highest ranks, highlighting both the controversies of his leadership and the legacy he aims to establish with the expanded Club World Cup. Nellen reflects on the impact of political relationships on FIFA's decisions and reveals how their family bond shaped Infantino's passion for the sport amid ongoing debates over governance and human rights.
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Infantino's Early Life Struggles
- Gianni Infantino grew up in Brig, Switzerland, in a close-knit immigrant family with Italian roots.
- He was very ill as a newborn, needing a special blood transfusion, which his family recalls as a stroke of luck.
From Player to Organizer Early
- Infantino started football young but soon shifted to organizing, managing a second-generation Italian team.
- His event 'Gianni's Game' brought football legends to his small hometown, highlighting his early football administration skills.
UEFA Colleague Remembers Infantino
- Colleague Dan O'Toole recalls Infantino as mild-mannered, quiet, and amiable with a meteoric rise at UEFA.
- Infantino's charm in multiple languages helped him control executive meetings and win people over.