‘He massages Trump’s basest instincts’: why is Fifa’s Gianni Infantino cosying up to the US president?

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, has been actively courting U.S. President Donald Trump, despite his claims that football is not political. Infantino, who was an outsider in his first presidential election at a local amateur football club, has a reputation for his ambitious vision, strong work ethic, and ability to forge influential networks. The article suggests that Infantino's efforts to build a relationship with Trump may be aimed at securing the U.S. as a host for future FIFA events, such as the World Cup. However, some have criticized Infantino's approach, arguing that he is "massaging Trump's basest instincts" and aligning himself with a divisive political figure. The article highlights Infantino's early political experience and his willingness to employ eye-catching schemes, such as his promise to have his mother wash the players' kits if he won the local club election. This suggests that Infantino's approach to building relationships with powerful figures may be driven by a desire for personal advancement and the pursuit of his organizational goals, rather than a purely football-focused agenda.