A football legend who has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or has launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, demanding that he step down from his role as head of the world governing body.

The extraordinary public rebuke marks a significant escalation in tensions between some of football's most decorated figures and the current FIFA leadership. Infantino, who has held the presidency since 2016, has faced growing criticism over a range of issues during his tenure.

The Ballon d'Or winner's call for Infantino's resignation adds to a chorus of dissent that has surrounded FIFA's decision-making in recent years, with concerns raised about the organization's direction under his stewardship.