FIFA needs an overhaul, Sepp Blatter said in his resignation speech on Tuesday, just four days after his reelection as president of the world football governing body. The scandals that have haunted FIFA during his tenure have finally come home to roost with the controversial detention of six of its high-level officials last week.

But what Blatter has contributed to the development of the sport worldwide should not be denied.

When he took over, FIFA was facing financial difficulties. He helped turn it into a money-spinning operation, which made $5.7 billion between 2010 and 2014. The fact that the number of TV viewers of the sport has been on the rise, especially during World Cup games, is testament to FIFA's transformation during the 17 years of his leadership.