Gianni Rivera Questions Galliani and Malagò’s Suitability for FIGC Presidency
Former Ballon d’Or winner Gianni Rivera has weighed into the debate over who should lead the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), arguing that the role requires a deep understanding of the game. The AC Milan and Italy legend suggested that neither Adriano Galliani nor Giovanni Malagò would be the right choice, while joking that he would be prepared to take charge himself.
Rivera made the comments during an appearance on Un Giorno da Pecora, a programme broadcast on Italy’s Radio1. Asked to consider possible candidates for the federation presidency, the 1969 Ballon d’Or recipient put forward his own name before questioning whether the figures being discussed were sufficiently equipped to manage Italian football.
“Galliani or Malagò as president of the Italian Football Federation? I’d say Rivera,” he said. “I should do it myself, but they don’t understand it very well. I don’t know if they’re capable.”
Rivera Says Football Knowledge Should Come First
The former playmaker went further, stressing that leadership of the FIGC should be grounded in practical knowledge of football. “If someone who understands football goes there, it’s dangerous,” Rivera said. “I’d go there and take care of football. Those two aren’t capable.” His remarks were delivered with characteristic bluntness, but they also reflect a wider question facing Italian football: what experience should matter most when choosing the federation’s next leader?
The FIGC president occupies a position with influence across the national game. The federation oversees Italy’s national teams and works with the country’s professional leagues, clubs, regional associations and other football bodies. Its leadership must navigate sporting priorities alongside governance, financial pressures and the competing interests of organisations that do not always share the same agenda.
That complexity helps explain why the names of experienced administrators and sports executives often enter the conversation. Yet Rivera’s comments underline the argument that familiarity with football’s day-to-day realities should be central to the selection process. In his view, understanding the sport is not simply an advantage; it is essential to making decisions that serve players, clubs and supporters.
Who Are the Figures Mentioned?
Adriano Galliani is a prominent Italian football executive best known for his long association with AC Milan, where he held senior management roles during one of the club’s most successful eras. His experience in club administration and negotiations has made him a familiar name in discussions about leadership within Italian football.
Giovanni Malagò, meanwhile, is a leading figure in Italian sports administration. He has served as president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, known as CONI, and has been involved in major sporting initiatives. His background is broader than football alone, which is precisely the kind of distinction Rivera’s comments bring into focus: should the FIGC be led by a specialist in the sport, an experienced administrator, or someone able to combine both strengths?
Rivera did not offer a detailed assessment of either man’s record during the radio appearance. Instead, his criticism centred on their perceived understanding of football and their capacity to oversee it. The comments should therefore be read as his personal view, rather than as a formal evaluation of the candidates or a statement about an official appointment process.
A Legendary Career Behind the Opinion
Rivera’s standing in Italian football gives his intervention particular resonance. Born in 1943, he became one of the defining players of his generation, earning fame for his vision, technical ability and influence in midfield. He spent much of his career with AC Milan and also represented Italy at international level.
In 1969, Rivera won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Italian-born player to receive the award. The honour recognised a career built on creativity and composure, qualities that helped make him a central figure in Italian football. His perspective on the game is shaped not only by his achievements on the pitch but also by his later involvement in public life and football-related affairs.
That history does not make his assessment definitive, but it helps explain why his words are likely to attract attention from fans and commentators. When a former national-team star and Ballon d’Or winner speaks about the direction of the FIGC, the debate extends beyond a routine exchange of opinions. It becomes part of a broader discussion about who has the credibility and expertise to shape the sport’s future.
What the FIGC Leadership Debate Means for Italian Football
Any change at the top of a national federation can influence how football is governed, how priorities are set and how relationships between clubs, leagues and the national team are managed. In Italy, those responsibilities sit within a sporting landscape that includes historic clubs, passionate supporters and a strong public interest in the performance of the national side.
The federation’s next leader would need to balance immediate concerns with long-term planning. That can include supporting the national teams, improving the development pathway for young players, strengthening the domestic game and ensuring that decisions are made transparently. It also requires the ability to build consensus among stakeholders with different priorities—a task that demands both football knowledge and administrative skill.
Rivera’s intervention does not settle the question of who should become FIGC president, and it is not a prediction of the eventual outcome. Instead, it adds a pointed voice to an ongoing conversation about the qualities the role demands. His preferred candidate, at least in jest, is himself; his more serious message is that football should be led by people who understand the game and are capable of acting in its interests.
As the discussion develops, supporters will be watching to see whether the eventual choice reflects that balance. For Rivera, the standard is clear: whoever takes responsibility for Italian football must be more than a recognised name. They must be able to understand its challenges, make informed decisions and take care of the sport.
