Three ex-Argentina players cause massive controversy with posts about FIFA and Gianni Infantino

Former Argentina internationals Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Javier Pastore have all broken ranks by publicly endorsing FIFA President Gianni Infantino via social media.

Infantino remains president of FIFA despite widespread calls for him to step down as global football’s leader following the controversial FIFA sell-off plan.

The Swiss-Italian has been under pressure since he announced the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with the idea of selling a 21 per cent stake in FIFA competitions to private investors.

UEFA and the Football Association were among the organisations that condemned the plan before it was eventually scrapped.

Since then, several member associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino ahead of the next FIFA presidential election in March 2027.

Despite coming under fire, Infantino received backing from some senior officials during a meeting in Morocco earlier in August, with the African, South American and Oceania confederations also backing the 56-year-old.

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Meanwhile, on Monday (August 24), a group of current and former players, including 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, came together to post a statement calling for change on social media.

“We share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world,” part of the statement read.

“Like them, we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA’s current leadership. For too long, we’ve seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport.

“Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. Recent events have made silence impossible. Enough is enough.”

But not everyone agrees, with former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea striker and current Cameroonian football federation president Samuel Eto’o insisting Infantino had not done anything wrong.

“All of this has happened because there’s an election coming out, that’s all there is,” he told CNN.

“I want to see all of my colleagues, all of the presidents, re-reading the project. After President Infantino is re-elected, we will have the strength to ask for this project to be put back on the table for discussion. I remain convinced that, if there is a democratic vote, this project will be adopted because it’s good for the majority.”

Argentina legends endorse Infantino

Now, former Argentina stars Cambiasso, Pastore and Zanetti have posted similar statements showing their support for Infantino.

Translated from Spanish into English, the statement read: “Over the last decade, we have witnessed the commitment of FIFA and President Infantino to ensuring player representation in the football world, something that previously did not exist. Current and former players have had a voice and an active role in our sport through their participation in committees, projects and working groups. Our opinions are heard, and many initiatives that benefit football are taking shape thanks to our contributions, ideas, plans and active participation.”

Zanetti’s post added: “We have seen first-hand how football can transform lives, improve societies and increase opportunities for everyone globally; we are committed to continuing to bring this hope to people. We will continue to support the remarkable evolution that has characterised our sport over the past decade, so that it can continue to reach and benefit people in every country where football is played around the world.”

Zanetti currently serves as vice-president of Inter Milan, while Cambiasso works as part of the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). Pastore heads up The Elegant Game agency, representing players such as Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.