Luis Figo, 20 years after joining Real Madrid from Barcelona

It was 20 years ago that Luis Figo made the stunning move from Barcelona to eternal rivals Real Madrid as part of the Galácticos era. Since hanging up his boots, though, the Portuguese legend has been very active, an ambassador in football and for charities, along with his work for UEFA.

But almost everything has been put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, including a large project on football schools in China, which has seen him take almost 100 Portuguese coaches across. The 47-year old picked up the phone to AS…

Hi Luis, how is life going?

Fortunately it’s fine. The whole family was confined in Madrid, enduring the situation and dealing with our emotions. Some days are better than others, like everyone. But, happily, we are all fine.

Who would have thought that we would be living through this?

It's kind of like a science fiction movie. You don't think it's true, but it's there.

Right now you are making plenty headlines as it’s 20 years since you signed for Madrid.

Well, believe me, your call reminded me (laughs). So many years have passed... That move, in terms of the finances of the transfer, even today would have been ridiculous.

With 60 million euros, today, you can buy Jovic

(Laughs) 20 years ago it was a lot of money, that's true.

Did the signing change the history of Madrid?

Not so much, but it did mark a change of direction in the trend of Spanish football. This had never happened before.

And it was the start of seeing football as an industry, the Galáctico Madrid

It could have been the start of a modern Madrid. It was a fantastic time, with so many good players together... And it won things, of course.

When did you receive the first news from Madrid?

I was at the Euros and I’d had a good season. There were elections in Madrid and at Barça. My agent [José Veiga] called me to inform me that there was a club, like Lazio, interested in paying my release clause, and that one of Real Madrid's [presidential] candidates was also interested.

Did you take him seriously?

I listened to him, but without paying much attention to him. And I explained the offers to the Barça board. They also didn't take me very seriously.

Have you ever regretted that decision?

Not really, although it was a very hard summer, that's true. There was a lot of pressure, a lot of noise, uncertainty ...

Is it true that you wanted to back out at the last moment and that you called Núñez to tell him that you would stay if Barça paid the compensation?

That’s a lie. I never spoke to Núñez after finishing the Euros or even when I went on holiday to Sardinia. Neither with Núñez nor with Gaspart. It’s a total lie. It was rather the opposite ...

Yes?

With the elections at Barça, Gaspart took advantage of the fact that a well-known journalist from Sport was going to Sardinia to send me a signed letter, in which he offered me the same as Madrid for me to stay, and that Barça would pick up any compensation costs…

That part of the story was not known...

I didn’t trust Gaspart…and I will never trust him (laughs).

Why did you leave Barça?

When you work in a place and they don't value you, and you tell them, it just seems like stubbornness. But things get more and more serious until you finally make a decision. And that was what happened.

When was the first time you spoke to Florentino?

The first time I saw him was in my lawyer's office in Lisbon, when we met after my vacation in Sardinia, after he was chosen [as president]. That was to sign definitively for Madrid.

What did he say?

Until he saw me sign, he was uneasy. Until then I wasn’t sure that I was going to Madrid. He said I was going to one of the best clubs in the world, that I was going to win titles, prestige... He was trying to convince me.

But didn't you have to pay millions in compensation if you didn't sign?

No, no... I had not committed myself to anything. The one who had signed that was my representative.

Did José Veiga not have his authorization to commit to Madrid?

He had my verbal, but not written, authorization, so I had no contractual obligation. I had nothing signed with my representative, only a relationship of trust and friendship.

Were you angry when you found out what your agent had signed?

The truth is that I had no knowledge. I had only given him directions to negotiate.

Did you get annoyed with him?

Well, the truth is that I thought the responsibility was his, and that's it. Each of us are responsible for our attitudes and our commitments. But hey, there were many worried that day, because there were many people involved in that operation. And until I signed it is logical that everyone was nervous…

Did Florentino disappoint you when you left Madrid?

The truth is that he did not behave very well with me. At the time he pissed me off a lot, I had always had a very head-on relationship with him. When you feel betrayed, you don't see it favourably.

What do you think led him to be unfair to you?

I don't know... No idea. He may have thought that I was no longer interested in the project. If you don’t fit with the strategy of the boss, they change you.

Why did you feel betrayed?

Because things were not clear. I had one more year left on my contract and suddenly I started to be left out of the line-ups three months before the end of the season. Right before the week of Madrid-Barça. From there I was a substitute... And my situation changed.

Has Florentino since proposed that you return to Madrid like Hierro or Raúl?

Yes, he approached me a year or so ago, but I was not available due to my UEFA role.

Would you return to Madrid with him in the presidency?

Well, you can't say yes or no... The past is there, I know how things are, but I would never go back just for the sake of it… That is clear to me.

Were you surprised by Zidane as coach?

I was first surprised that he wanted to be a coach. There are others, such as Guardiola, who were more obvious. But once he made that decision, I know that Zidane has a gift, an ability, and it is no longer a surprise.

Do Madrid need coaches who are not overly strict, like Del Bosque, Ancelotti and Zidane?

You have to really know the club, the environment, the players… The so-called ‘heavy hand’ is not necessary at any club when you have players who identify with the project. Everything is easy to manage then. In general, for Madrid that profile is better, but there also comes a time when you have to be tough, call someone out if things are not going well. Nothing is black or white.

Could we say Madrid have been lucky with Zidane?

Luck has to be found, worked at. Zidane is calm and has a knack for it. His situation does not seem like luck.

Was the Galáctico dressing room difficult?

I don’t believe so. Everyone of us knew our role and status. We all have a very good relationship right up to today.

Do you call each other on the phone?

We all have our own life, but yes, we all call each other... David, Hierro, Raúl, Ronaldo...

What about the time that Zidane went to Florentino Pérez’s office with the story that Figo did not pass to him?

I think that story was more an invention of the media. But to avoid doubt, Miñano, the physical trainer at the time, showed up one day to talk to us and showed us the statistics: "For the sake of clarity, in the last game you two passed the ball between each other much more than anyone else.” It was nonsense.

Do Real Madrid need to renew the squad to continue winning?

On the contrary, Madrid has an extensive squad and one of the best. That is what has helped them become champions in the final part of this ‘coronavirus Liga’. They have an interesting mix of players with experience and those with a great future. I am a huge fan of effort. If you are 36 and you deliver, what difference does age make. Modric is an example. In Spain the ID is looked at a lot and the effort less. In Italy it was very different.

Mbappé is being earmarked to start a new era at Real Madrid?

He is one of the best in the world, he has a lot of talent and a lot of room for improvement, but of course, he is currently in a very strong financial team. I don't know if it will be possible to see him wear the white shirt.

Can Vinicius learn how to finish?

With maturity, his relationship with the goal will improve, but it is also true that you are born with that, you don't learn it. Either you are born with a natural goalscoring instinct or not. But it will improve, of course... You can’t ask a kid to have all the facets of the game at such a young age.

Is Benzema best as a ’9’ or a '10'?

He is a great player and he has shown it this year. He has taken an important step since Cristiano left, because he has felt more important. He’s a mix of nine and ten.

There were people who doubted that Madrid could win without Cristiano

Cristiano has been very important for Madrid, and Madrid for Cristiano. He is irreplaceable… but Madrid have found ways to win without him.

Has Bale’s time at Madrid disappointed you?

I still think that he has a lot of quality despite the difficult times he has had with the fans. I like him a lot.

What can we expect from Messi now?

He is a phenomenon! He proves it year after year. The important thing for a player of his level is to stay motivated, to feel that he is supported both on and off the pitch. Supported in the sense that there is a strong team behind you.

What team are you enjoying these days?

I really like Liverpool. Also Madrid when they win, because they are solid. Barça when they play with their style... But in general I prefer teams that play on the attack and produce a spectacle.

After Zidane could you see Raúl coming in?

He is a winner, a club man. I wish him well, but it depends on the opportunities they give him. He has knowledge and ability, like others that are there, Guti, Hierro ...

Will we see you in the dugout one day?

Yes… but just watching the games to enjoy them as a spectator (laughs).