Luis Figo: The man who could be King of Football

The 42-year-old, a man of formidable football pedigree, confirmed to CNN in an exclusive interview on Wednesday he wants to replace Sepp Blatter as president of world soccer's governing body.

After growing weary at FIFA's increasingly tarnished reputation, he's asked supporters the world over to follow his crusade to rehabilitate an organization he says has become a byword for scandal.

The tipping point came towards the end of 2014, when FIFA opted not to publish a report by U.S. lawyer Michael Garcia into allegations of corruption during the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, releasing its own summary of his findings instead.

"I think that was the moment of change and the moment I thought something had to be done," Figo told CNN anchor Alex Thomas.

"If you are transparent and if you ask for an investigation, a report, which you have nothing to hide, why don't you make public that report? If you have nothing to hide about that, you have to do it."

Having decided to run, and with a trophy-laden career to bolster his credibility, Figo now must convince the majority of FIFA's 209 member associations that he means business.

The former Portugal captain has made transparency a key plank of his pitch for soccer's top job, underlining that a change in leadership and governance was the only way to revitalize FIFA's reputation.

He also vowed to release more of FIFA's vast financial reserves to its federations in the hope of boosting the sport at grass roots level.

And he gave short shrift to any suggestion that his candidacy was a publicity stunt, an accusation leveled at former France international David Ginola who recently launched his bid alongside a bookmaker and confirmed he was being paid for his involvement.

"I don't need to be a candidate to get publicity. I had a fantastic career and I'm very proud of so many years playing at a high level," explained Figo.

"I'm not getting paid. Fortunately I have a situation that allows me to pay for my candidature, and I'm lucky that I can pay my travels and support my expenses.

"I think the organization is right now not a football organization-- it is more a political organization," he added referring to FIFA.

"We have to care about the future of football, try to restore the leadership, the governance and big transparency and solidarity with the federations."

Figo does not want for style or substance, but his decision to take aim at Blatter is a gamble.

The 78-year-old has been ensconced in FIFA's corridors of power since 1998 and still enjoys firm support among its member associations despite the increasingly beleaguered nature of his rein.

Many commentators see May's election as a forgone conclusion, but even if Figo is the only candidate to make his way onto the ballot paper it will still represent progress from 2011's ballot.

Back then, Qatar's former FIFA member Mohamed Bin Hammam withdrew from the race after he was suspended on bribery charges, leaving Blatter to run unopposed.

(CNN)