It was a different Gianni Infantino, a more pensive Gianni Infantino, a less alarmingly excited Gianni Infantino who addressed Hall 1 at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Friday morning.
This had been the scene of Infantino’s own defining moment just a month ago, his sacking of the temple, his Woodstock, his I have (a Very Peculiar) Dream. Brusquely late, Infantino was all business this time. “I am … happy … to be here,” he kicked off in a descending tone as though announcing the imminent execution of a colony of wasps. “Has this World Cup been a massive success?” he was asked from the floor. No, Gianni demurred very sightly. It had, in fact, been “an incredible success”.
