Michel Platini confirms FIFA presidency bid

Michel Platini officially put his name into the hat of candidates vying for the chance to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.

The UEFA president announced his intentions to run for the top job at the world soccer governing body when an election to succeed Blatter takes place Feb. 26, 2016.

He said the decision to run for a chance to become the ninth president in FIFA's history was triggered by the overwhelming support he received from the organization's various associations and confederations.

"This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future," the former French international said.

"I was also guided by the esteem, support, and encouragement that many of you have shown me."

He received support from four of the six confederations, including Asia, and is expected to be backed by a majority of European nations, according to the Guardian.

The 60-year-old has been regarded as the obvious replacement for Blatter after working closely with the Swiss national. But he chose not to run against him during May's presidential election and, instead, requested that Blatter withdraw his name from contention after several FIFA officials were indicted on corruption charges.

Blatter, however, chose to run for a fifth term. Though, he announced his intentions to step down from the position just four days after winning re-election as pressure mounted against FIFA following the U.S. and Swiss investigations into corruption at the Zurich-based organization.

"I am counting on your support and our common love of football so that, together, we can give the tens of millions of football fans the FIFA that they want: a FIFA that is exemplary, united, and shows solidarity; a FIFA that is respected, liked, and of the people," Platini added in his letter to the 209 member associations.

While Platini's announcement has been overwhelmingly welcomed across the football world, Prince Ali bin Hussein, who was the lone candidate to run against Blatter during the May 29 election, voiced his concerns over the possibility of FIFA failing to embrace change if the UEFA president's campaign is successful.

Platini is viewed as the the most likely candidate to win the election out of several figures - including Prince Ali and Diego Maradona - expected to run. The deadline to make a bid for election is Oct. 26.