The successor to Michel Platini at the president's desk in UEFA's Nyon office has been confirmed as Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin.
Winning by 42 votes to 13, the 48-year-old has fought off competition from the likes of Dutch FA head Michel Van Praag and now the unassuming lawyer has the biggest job in European football.
MARCA sat down to chat with the new UEFA president.
Why did you want to become UEFA president?
"I think I can do important things for football. I'm not here for revolution, not even close, but I think football needs an evolution. When some presidents of the domestic FAs told me that UEFA needed changes, I thought it was time to help football. I can do that."
What is your opinion of Michel Platini?
"He was a good president, doing many good things for football such as solidarity and bringing football to all countries. I am a lawyer and will not go over what's happened [with his suspension]. He was a very charismatic president."
What do you think of Angel Maria Villar, your rival until the last week of elections?
"I respect Villar, a person who has been fighting for football for many years. He took the UEFA presidency [as acting president] at a difficult time and has done well. I never criticised or belittled him when he wanted to stay."
How will your evolution take shape?
"UEFA will bring together the federations, as they need to play a more important role. We must limit the number of mandates; for example 24 teams in the European Championship is nice but having more than one country as a host leads to unnecessary travel. There is no sense there so from 2024 I will change it."
"I do not like that small countries find it harder to reach the Champions League, that's not fair, and communication has been lacking in these changes."
Are you not surprised that Slovenia send less teams to European football?
"We're a small country but can get results. We have no problems with anyone and are well placed."
Who's your team?
"The Slovenian national team. My club was Hadjuk Split when Slovenia was Yugoslavia, but they're now Croatian. I'm more about the players than the teams."
For example?
"Ronaldo Nazario. He's the best, awesome."
And today, is the best Ronaldo or Messi?
"They're both good for football, one has certain things better than the other. Ronaldo is pure power, strength, determination, whereas Messi is more of an artist. Who is better? It's the same as question for Real Madrid or Barcelona. They're both good for world football."
Do you mind Spain's domination of European football?
"It only bothers me when Atletico and [Slovenian goalkeeper, Jan] Oblak don't win (laughs). If you are the best, then you win."/ShikoNews
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