Platini's announcement ended weeks of speculation over whether the 60-year-old Frenchman would stand in the election to find a successor to the beleaguered Sepp Blatter.
But no sooner had he done so than Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who lost out in the previous vote in May to Blatter, turned on him and described him as "not good for football".
The Jordanian prince said Platini, considered a strong candidate, was not the man to run the sport's global affairs.
"FIFA is engulfed in scandal. We must stop doing business as usual. The practice of back-room, under-the-table deals must end.
"I believe that the voices of the individual Football Federations must be heard. In the coming week, I will be consulting with them about what is in the best interests of football.
"What is clear is that FIFA needs new, independent leadership, untainted by the practices of the past," added Prince Ali.
It now appears the 39-year-old, who is the third son of King Hussein of Jordan, may be plotting a fresh campaign to run against Platini and make a second bid for the high-powered post.
"This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future," he said.
"I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me."
He promised to work tirelessly "in the interests of football".
"There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands," he said.
"I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA.