Gianni Infantino becomes the most powerful man in world soccer after winning a FIFA presidential race he appeared to enter out of necessity more than desire.

The suspension of UEFA president Michel Platini from all soccer-related activity because of a payment of $2 million signed off by Infantino's now-predecessor Sepp Blatter at FIFA in 2011 left the European federation needing a candidate.

Platini had long been viewed as Blatter's heir apparent, but both men's suspension in October — subsequently upgraded to eight-year bans that were reduced to six this week — left world football in a stage of flux. Blatter's departure would no longer be stage managed at the Zurich extraordinary conference in the way he envisioned.

Shorn of the star quality of Platini, UEFA turned toward the former France captain's loyal lieutenant.

UEFA general secretary Infantino was backed by the organization's executive committee to run in the FIFA election hours before the Oct. 26 deadlines for candidates.

While his rivals were busy fleshing out ambitious, wide-sweeping visions for a FIFA badly in need of reform, Infantino was still willing to talk himself out of the race before Platini's absence was made more permanent in December.

"My candidacy is not in opposition to Michel," Infantino told BBC Sport. "If he is able to stand, I will withdraw. It's a simple principle of loyalty."

Loyalty to a now-disgraced former colleague did not undermine the progress of the multi-lingual lawyer, whose successful campaign was backed by soccer luminaries such as Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho — all of whom paid tribute to his years of service to the game and backed a manifesto built on three key pillars of reform, democracy and participation, and soccer development.

Born in 1970 in the Swiss municipality of Brig-Glis — about 6 miles from Blatter's native Visp — Infantino studied law at the University of Fribourg in his homeland and is fluent in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

He holds dual nationality on account of his family's heritage in the Italian regions of Calabria and Lombardy.

Prior to joining FIFA in 2000, Infantino was secretary general of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) at the University of Neuchtael, having also worked as an adviser to a variety of soccer bodies in Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

After working across legal and commercial projects, he was appointed as UEFA's director of legal affairs and club licensing division in January 2004.

On its official website, UEFA also identifies Infantino as working to forge strong links with the European Union, the Council of Europe and other governmental bodies before ascending to the general secretary role in 2009.

Infantino is most closely associated with his work implementing Platini's two flagship policies — expanding the European Championships to become a 24-nation tournament and the Financial Fair Play rules aimed at promoting financial sustainability among clubs competing in UEFA competitions.

He has pledged to mirror the former initiative as FIFA president, increasing the World Cup finals by eight teams to feature 40 countries.

Appointed to the FIFA Reform Committee in August 2015, Infantino will now drive that process on his terms following a result that looks set to empower UEFA on the back of growing antagonism between the governing body and Blatter over recent years.