FIFA's Sepp Blatter has said that Michel Platini is "ready" to succeed him and believes that the Frenchman will make a "good president".
Platini, the current UEFA president, has refused to confirm whether he will stand when Blatter steps down in 2015.
However, the current president is convinced that the former France international, who has been widely considered to be destined for football's powerful role, wants the job.
"Michel Platini is ready. If he wishes. He says 'I do not know' ... but deep down, he wants it," Blatter told France Football.
"He will be a good president of course.
"He will not be the same president as me, because everyone is different, but he will be good president."
Blatter has been FIFA president since 1998.