Luis Figo announced on Wednesday, in an interview with CNN, that he wants to be in the running to become the next FIFA president. The former Portugal midfielder says he has the nominations needed for an official challenge against Sepp Blatter.

"I look at the reputation of FIFA right now and I don't like it. Football deserves better," the 42-year-old said. "Football has given me so much during my life, and I want to give something back to the game."

"I have seen the image of FIFA deteriorate, and as I speak to many people in football - to players, managers and association presidents - so many of those people have told me that something has to be done," Figo said.

Figo, the 2001 world player of the year, launched his campaign one hour before Michael van Praag held a news conference in Amsterdam to explain his bid, which he revealed on Monday. Van Praag also says he has five nominees but, like Figo, has not identified them.

Michel Platini, the president of Europe's football body, chose that he would not to stand against Blatter last August, but has continued to encourage others to rival his 78-year-old former mentor.

Platini's spokesman, Pedro Pinto, welcomed Figo's entry on Wednesday. "Credible candidates with new ideas will hopefully add to an open debate in the campaign," Pinto explained to reporters. "It is good for FIFA, and it is good for football to have valid candidates with extensive experience in the sport, and from different parts of the world."

The UEFA president has also supported the candidacy of FIFA vice president, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan. Other potential contenders seeking nominations include former FIFA official Jerome Champagne - a longtime Blatter ally and the only contender to publish a detailed manifesto - and former France international David Ginola.

The deadline for would-be candidates to file nominations from five of FIFA's 209 member federations is this Friday.

apc/al (AP, dpa)