David Beckham backs Luis Figo's FIFA presidency bid

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 18 February 2015

David Beckham says that football governing body FIFA "will only benefit" from having former World Player of the Year Luis Figo among their ranks.

David Beckham has backed former Real Madrid teammate Luis Figo to become the next president of football's world governing body FIFA.

The 42-year-old announced last month that he intends to run for presidency, having received the required nominations needed to enter the race to oust current head chief Sepp Blatter.

Figo is the only former professional player remaining ahead of May's election, with David Ginola dropping out due to a lack of support, and he faces tough competition for the role from Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag.

However, former England skipper Beckham insists that FIFA needss someone as "passionate" as Figo on board if the organisation is to gain the full backing of football supporters once more.

"I welcome the candidacy of my friend Luis for FIFA president," the 39-year-old is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "Any successful organisation needs to have good people who are passionate about the game and want to do the best for fans.

"FIFA will only benefit from having a wide range of strong candidates present their visions for the game and it's good to see people volunteer. I wish Luis and the other candidates well."

Figo has previously spent time serving on the UEFA Football Committee between 2011 and 2015.