If football is increasingly expanding globally, even in markets that until a few years ago were considered marginal, the credit goes to an Italian (or rather, Italian-Swiss) who has made headlines around the world in recent months, partly due to his much-vaunted friendship with Donald Trump. His name is Gianni Infantino, born in 1970, and he is the president of FIFA, the highest political and commercial body of the most followed and practiced sport in the world.

And it matters little that the controversy over unduly expanded competitions and some commercial and political decisions have partially eroded a figure that seemed super partes. This also disregards the theatrics of the “Peace Prize” awarded to the Tycoon himself last December, which perhaps represents the lowest point of football’s top echelons—especially given what happened next. Infantino remains the man of the luxurious, expensive, prime-time World Cup, aiming to further globalize football. The latest competitions in Qatar and the upcoming ones in the United States are examples of this. Not to mention Saudi Arabia, a key player in 2034.

In short, football is a business, and Infantino, as well as a sportsman, is an entrepreneur. But how much is this top-tier role worth? How much does the football boss earn? Here’s what we know.

Who is Gianni Infantino? His career from the bottom to the FIFA presidency

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino was born on March 23, 1970, in Brig, Switzerland, to an Italian family who emigrated for work. His roots lie in Calabria and Lombardy, but his education is entirely European: a law degree and specialization in sports law, a path that immediately took him away from the field and into the control rooms. As a footballer, he stopped at the lower Swiss levels, but it was behind the scenes that he built his destiny.

The first key turning point came at the University of Neuchâtel, where he became secretary of the International Centre for Sports Studies. Then, in 2000, he joined UEFA: a methodical, almost silent climb. Director of Legal Affairs in 2004, Deputy Secretary General in 2007, then Secretary General in 2009. It was during those years that he became the institutional face of the European draws and the operational arm of Michel Platini.

The final leap came in 2016, when, following the scandal that rocked FIFA and the resignation of Sepp Blatter, Infantino was elected president in the second round. From that moment, his role shifted from technical to global leader. The FIFA President is the political, economic, and strategic director of world football: he manages billion-dollar competitions, negotiates with governments and sponsors, and directs the development of football in over 200 federations. A role that encompasses diplomacy, business, and power.

Gianni Infantino’s salary and net worth: here’s how much he earns

Leading global football isn’t just a matter of prestige: it’s also an extremely lucrative role. Today, Gianni Infantino’s base salary is around 2.6 million Swiss francs annually, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million euros and over 3.3 million dollars. Added to this figure are variable bonuses, which in recent years have exceeded 1.6 million francs, bringing his total compensation to nearly 4.5 million euros (over 5 million dollars).

These numbers reflect the economic clout of FIFA, a machine that moves billions through television rights, sponsorships, and major events. Infantino’s personal net worth is estimated at around 12 million euros: a significant figure, but not comparable to that of other major sports magnates, a sign that his wealth is tied primarily to his institutional role rather than to well-known personal investments.

Infantino has lived between Switzerland (particularly in the canton of Zug) and Qatar, where he temporarily moved during the organization of the 2022 World Cup. A polyglot—he speaks seven languages—and with a network of relationships spanning politics, business, and sport, Infantino embodies the role of the modern executive: less bureaucrat and more global CEO. Like a real entrepreneur of a company that turns over billions.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Quanto guadagna Gianni Infantino? Lo stipendio del presidente FIFA