Given his penchant for making eyebrow-raising moves during his playing career, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Youri Djorkaeff’s post-retirement job has taken him into a very different role.
In recent years, the French World Cup and European Championship winner has taken up a key role behind the scenes at FIFA, having been appointed the FIFA Foundation CEO in 2019.
This job sees him help shape projects that look to use the game as a force for social change, in a position that sees him work closely with the controversial FIFA head Gianni Infantino.
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Djorkaeff on working alongside Infantino
Djorkaeff believes the sport can have a transformational impact across the world, a role which the former Inter Milan and Bolton Wanderers midfielder is clearly relishing.
“Seven years ago, Gianni Infantino asked me to help build the foundation from the ground up,” he tells FourFourTwo.
“We carried out major projects and developed programmes all over the world, many in the poorest communities imaginable.”
In this role, Djorkaeff has been able to see how football can be used to create opportunities where they are most needed, making it an incredibly rewarding pursuit.
“Seeing how a single ball can bring joy to so many children gives you perspective on how much can be achieved,” he adds.
Djorkaeff’s work with FIFA means that he works alongside FIFA chief Infantino, a figure who could charitably be described as a ‘polarising’ individual in the game.
So what has it been like to work with such an individual during times of controversy?
“Before the 2022 World Cup, Gianni asked me to become his advisor, at a time there was criticism about Qatar, playing in December and much more,” Djorkaeff continues.
“I thanked him for trusting me, but said I wouldn’t just be someone posing for photos. We talk about a lot: improvements we could implement, academies we have built, and the Club World Cup we launched – it had such an impact we’ve been asked to hold it every two years.
“Now, I spend 99 per cent of my time working alongside him.”
