Last update 3 November, 2020 por Alberto Llopis
Luis Figo is one of the best wingers in the history. The extreme, is that rare species, almost extinct in modern football. That type of player who stuck to the lime and overflowed with total daring and self-confidence to any rival that came his way is increasingly difficult to see. In the history of football they have been and the many, but the Portuguese was the best.
Since the beginning of his career at the highest level in one of the greats of Portugal, Sporting Lisbon stood out with his dribbling and his ability to overwhelm his rival with an insulting ease, which made him one of the most sought-after footballers on the planet in the middle of the 90.
The signing of Luis Figo by Barça
His excellent career at Sporting Lisbon led him to FC Barcelona Johan Cruyff con tan sólo 22 years in 1995. However, recruitment was not easy, because before Barca call their doors, Figo had started negotiations with two Italian teams: Juventus and Parma. This event could have led to a two-year sanction without being able to leave Portugal.
Al final, por 230 million pesetas of the time that were not an exaggerated transfer for a player of his level, was transferred to Barcelona. Due to his winning character and leadership, he soon found a place in the dressing room and a privileged place in the heart of the Barça fans., for whom it became the banner of barcelonismo. Barça always showed his quality despite being under the command of three coaches with very different styles: Cruyff, Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.
With all of them, the Portuguese showed his ability to adapt to any game model as long as he bet on the outside game. While at the club, Figo won a Super Cup Spain, two Copa del Rey, of the Leagues, European Cup Winners Cup and European Super Cup.
The signing of Luis Figo by Real Madrid, the beginning of ‘Age of the Galactics’
En el verano del 2000 controversy would come and is that the name of Luis Figo In the summer of that year, he copied all the front pages of the newspapers due to the electoral campaigns for the presidencies of Real Madrid and Barcelona.. Florentino Pérez even said that if he left president and did not fulfill his promise to bring the Portuguese star, personally paid subscriptions of all partners. Desde Barcelona, They are rubbing their hands, as all presidential candidates claimed that Figo would not move from there.
Al final, por 10.000 millions of old pesetas, Luis Figo he went to the Bernabéu being like this in the first ‘galactic’ from the president of Real Madrid. From the economic point of view it was profitable for the Barcelona, it cost 230 million and sold for 10.000, but institutionally was a blow because not only the idol of the fans he left, but above, It did the eternal rival.
His return to the Nou Camp with a clear maximum shirt brought him into a loud blast and created one of the most curious facts but the saddest time in living memory. He fell from a mobile phone to a pig's head. In 2001 received the Balón de Oro. With Real Madrid, Liga won twice, Spain Super Cup twice, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
End of career at Real Madrid and signing for Inter
After five seasons as a white player and without being taken into account by Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Madrid coach at that time, Luis Figo is transferred to Inter Milan in the summer of 2005, becoming the first of the galaxies to leave the club. With Inter won four consecutive Serie A titles certifying the domain of interistas in Italy and announced his retirement after winning last season 2008/2009.
He is one of the best Portuguese players in history on his own merits
On an international level, with the Portuguese national team, It was European champion sub 16 in 1989, World Champion sub 20 in 1991, third in Euro 2000, runner-up in Euro 2004 and he got fourth place at the World Cup 2006. He also disputed the Euro 96 y el Mundial del 2002. He played in total with the Portuguese selection 127 games scoring 32 goals and gave the relief to Cristiano. Luis Figo, apart from one of the best extremes in history it is undoubtedly one of the best Portuguese players ever.