Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo OIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [luˈiʃ ˈfiɣu]; born 4 November 1972) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a winger for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. He won 127 caps for the Portugal national team, a one-time record, and is considered one of the greatest players of his generation.[3][4][5]

Luís Figo
Figo in 2017
Personal information
Full name Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo[1]
Date of birth (1972-11-04) 4 November 1972 (age 51)
Place of birth Almada, Portugal
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1984–1985 Os Pastilhas
1985–1989 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1995 Sporting CP 129 (16)
1995-2000 Barcelona 172 (30)
2000–2005 Real Madrid 164 (38)
2005–2009 Inter Milan 105 (9)
Total 570 (93)
International career
1988–1989 Portugal U16 15 (8)
1989 Portugal U17 6 (2)
1988–1990 Portugal U18 21 (8)
1990–1991 Portugal U20 12 (0)
1991–1994 Portugal U21 7 (0)
1991–2006 Portugal 127 (32)
Medal record
Representing  Portugal
Men's football
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 1989 & 1991 Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 2004 Portugal
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Third place 1989 Scotland
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winner 1989 Denmark
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 1994 France
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Runner-up 1990 Hungary
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He won the 2000 Ballon d'Or, 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.[6] Figo is one of the few football players to have played for both Spanish rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid. His controversial transfer in 2000 from Barcelona to Real Madrid set a world record fee of €62 million.[7] Figo, who was widely regarded as the face of FC Barcelona along with Rivaldo at that time, had signed a conditional agreement[8] with Florentino Perez, who at the time was running to become the president of Real Madrid. In short, the agreement stated that if Perez became the president of the club, Luis Figo would sign for them. If Figo refused to leave Barcelona, he would have to pay a penalty fee of 5 billion pesetas (around £22 million or $34 million). If Perez lost the election, Figo would keep 400 million pesetas (around £1.7 million)[9]

Figo had a successful career highlighted by several trophy wins, including the Portuguese Cup, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, four Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups. At international level, he scored 32 goals for Portugal, representing the nation at three European Championships and two World Cups, helping them reach the final but finish as runners-up at Euro 2004, as well as reaching the semi-finals at the 2006 World Cup.

Early years edit

The only child of António Caeiro Figo and Maria Joana Pestana Madeira who moved from Alentejo to Lisbon in the early 1970s, Figo grew up in the working-class district of Cova da Piedade, Almada. He began his career as a street footballer at U.F.C. Os Pastilhas, before joining the academy of Sporting Clube de Portugal at the age of 12.[10] In his youth, Figo played futsal from which he learned a lot of skills that helped him later in his career.[11]

Club career edit

Sporting CP edit

Figo started his career at Sporting CP, making his league debut on 1 April 1990 during the 1989–90 season as a substitute for Marlon Brandão in a 1–0 home win against Marítimo.[12][13] On 7 December 1991, Figo scored his first goal against Torreense in the 1991–92 season, equalising as Sporting won 2–1. He won his first senior international cap in 1991. Prior to that, he won the 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Championships and Under-16 European Championships with Portugal junior sides alongside Rui Costa and João Pinto. He was also a significant part of Portugal's "Golden Generation". In his final season at Sporting he won the 1994–95 Portuguese Cup.[14]

Barcelona edit

In 1995, Figo looked poised to join one of the big clubs of Europe, but a dispute between Italian clubs Juventus and Parma, with Figo having signed contracts with both clubs, resulted in an Italian two-year transfer ban on him. Eventually, Figo made a move to Spanish giants Barcelona for a £2.25 million fee, being loaned back for the remainder of the season due to a rule prohibiting Portuguese players from signing for foreign clubs outside a fixed period. This rule had prevented Figo from joining English club Manchester City, where he had been recommended by his former Sporting manager Malcolm Allison for a fee of around £1.2 million.[15]

It was with Barcelona that Figo's career really took off, winning the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, starring alongside Ronaldo, followed by successive Primera División titles where he was part of a formidable attack that included Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert. In total, Figo appeared 172 times in the league for Barcelona, scoring 30 goals. He was revered in Barcelona because his presence had given Catalonia a sense of external approval.[16]

Real Madrid edit

In July 2000, Figo made a surprising and controversial €62 million move to Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid.[17] Real Madrid met the buyout clause in Figo's contract at Barcelona, a new world record fee, and his arrival at Madrid signalled the beginning of Florentino Pérez's Galáctico era of global stars signed by the club every year.[18] Figo became the new focus of the Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry, with Barcelona fans feeling betrayed by his transfer and turning against him.[18] His move to Madrid was significant due to his status as a star player at Barcelona, reliable, and always committed to the cause as a team leader.[18] One of his Barcelona teammates stated, "Our plan was simple: give the ball to Luís. He never, ever hid".[18] Although now wearing the white shirt of Real Madrid, he won the Ballon d'Or award in November 2000, largely for what he did for Barcelona, where he became the best in the world.[18]

By the second or third corner I turned to Luís Figo and said: 'Forget it, mate. You're on your own'. I used to offer Luís the chance to take the short corner, drawing up close to him near the touchline, but not this time. Missiles were raining down from the stands: coins, a knife, a glass whiskey bottle. Johnnie Walker, I think. Or J&B. Best to keep away. Short corners? No thanks.

—Real Madrid teammate Michel Salgado on the vitriol aimed at Figo from Barcelona fans at the Camp Nou, 23 November 2002.[18]

When Figo returned to Barcelona for the first time in a Real Madrid shirt on 21 October 2000, the noise at Camp Nou was deafening.[18] There were banners hung around the stadium with words like "Traitor", "Judas", "Scum", and "Mercenary".[18] Figo was mercilessly taunted throughout, and when he came out of the tunnel and ran onto the field the jeers of almost 98,000 Barcelona fans escalated, with a visibly shocked Figo putting his fingers to his ears.[16][18] When El Clásico started, each time Figo got the ball the noise rose with insults and missiles flying such as oranges, bottles, cigarette lighters and mobile phones.[18] The regular corner taker for Madrid, Figo did not take any corners at the Camp Nou to avoid being in proximity to the fans.[18] Barcelona were victorious, winning 2–0, and Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez stated after the match, "The atmosphere got to us all."[18] Madrid defender Iván Campo commented,

"That night when Figo first went back was incredible. I’ve never heard anything like it. Luís didn't deserve that. He'd given his all for Barcelona. It was built up before: 'a traitor’s coming,' the media said. No, Luís Figo is coming, one of the greats for you. That night hurt him, you could see. His head was bowed and he was thinking: 'bloody hell, I was here last season ...' But my lasting emotion was admiration: you’ve got balls."[18]

 
Figo's 2000 Ballon d'Or. He received the award for his displays throughout the year for Barcelona and then Madrid.

In his first season with Madrid, Figo won the 2001 La Liga title, scoring 14 goals in all competitions. For his performances at Real, he was designated the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year.[14] He would be joined at the club by Zinedine Zidane in the middle of 2001, and in the following season Madrid won the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League.[14] He missed two fixtures against Barcelona through injury and suspension.[19]

Figo's second game back at the Camp Nou, on 23 November 2002, produced one of the defining images of the Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry.[18] There was no sign of the hatred or the hurt subsiding, and every time he came within range of the Barcelona fans, beer cans, lighters, bottles and golf balls flew.[18] Figo commented, "I was worried that some madman might lose his head."[18] This time, Figo had decided that he would take corners, as well as throw-ins, and midway through the second half Madrid won a corner. Amid a shower of flying objects, it took Figo two minutes to take it.[18] Another corner followed on the other side, and as Figo walked across, he slowed to pick up the missiles and as he prepared to take the corner he moved away some of the debris while giving an ironic thumbs-up and smiling.[18] Every time he began his run-up to take the corner, another missile would land which was repeated over and over, until the referee Luis Medina Cantalejo suspended the game for almost 20 minutes.[18] During the break in play, the defining image of the rivalry, a pig's head, was picked up on camera, which was in among the debris near the corner flag.[20]

Figo would spend five seasons at Madrid, with his final success being the 2003 La Liga title. In April 2013, Figo was named by the sports newspaper Marca as a member of the "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history".[21]

Inter Milan edit

 
Figo in 2009. He spent four seasons at Inter from 2005 to 2009.

Figo left Real Madrid to join the Italian club Inter Milan in the middle of 2005 on a free transfer after his contract with Madrid had expired. This meant that Figo would finally be able to play for a club in Italy, something he had the chance to do before his move to Barcelona, but was scuppered due to a dispute between the two clubs interested, Juventus and Parma. During the middle of 2008, Figo's compatriot José Mourinho joined Inter as manager. This has been said to please Figo, as he would have several Portuguese teammates during the remainder of his stay at Inter. On 16 May 2009, Figo announced his retirement from football, the same day Inter won the 2008–09 title, and re-confirmed this on 30 May; his final game was on 31 May against Atalanta at the San Siro. At Javier Zanetti's insistence, Figo captained the side for his last match. He received a standing ovation from the crowd as he was substituted by Davide Santon. The free-kick he scored in extra time against Roma during the Supercoppa Italiana was his most memorable moment in Italy.[22][23]

 
Figo's number 7 Inter jersey next to Ronaldo (number 10) and Zamorano (one plus eight) in the San Siro museum

Figo said, "I am leaving football, not Inter." He was interviewed by Inter Channel after his last game against Atalanta and also said, "I hope to be able to help this club to become even greater also after my retirement. I will certainly work for Inter in the future on the club board. I never imagined that I was going to remain here for such a long time. What I will never forget is the love that I have received since my first day here from my teammates and president Massimo Moratti. I will never forget it; Inter has given me the chance to start a winning cycle with some extraordinary people."[24] Figo was on the sidelines when Inter won the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League on 22 May 2010.

International career edit

Early international career edit

 
Figo as captain of Portugal in 2005

The leader of Portugal's "Golden Generation", Figo won a FIFA World Youth Championship in 1991, the same year he made his senior debut against Luxembourg on 16 October 1991, in a friendly match that ended 1–1 when he was only 18 years old. His first goal equalised in a 2–1 friendly victory over Bulgaria in Paris on 11 November 1992. Figo scored three goals in eight qualifying games for UEFA Euro 1996, as his country reached the continental tournament for the first time in 12 years. In the final group game at the tournament, against Croatia at the City Ground in Nottingham, Figo opened a 3–0 victory with a fourth-minute strike; the result sent Portugal into the quarter-finals as group winners ahead of their opponents.[25]

Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup edit

Figo featured in all ten of Portugal's qualifiers for the next European Championship, scoring three times in the process. On 12 June 2000, in their opening game of the tournament in Eindhoven, he scored Portugal's first goal as they came from behind to beat England 3–2, again advancing as group winners to be eliminated in the semi-finals.[26] He was rested by Humberto Coelho for the final group match against Germany in Rotterdam, breaking a chain of 32 consecutive international appearances.[27] His only hat-trick for the national team came on 15 August 2001, when he netted all of the goals in a 3–0 friendly victory over Moldova at the Estádio de São Luís in Faro.[28]

With six goals in nine matches, Figo helped Portugal qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup; on 2 June 2001, in the qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road, he served as captain for the first time on his 74th cap and scored the equaliser for a 1–1 draw.[27] In their first World Cup since 1986, Portugal suffered group stage elimination while Figo failed to score a goal.

Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup edit

On 18 February 2004, Figo earned his 100th cap in a 1–1 friendly draw with England at the Estádio Algarve, playing as captain despite regular skipper Fernando Couto being in the starting line-up.[29] Later that year at the European Championship on home soil, he captained the side after Couto was dropped.[30] He announced his retirement from international football following the Euro 2004 final upset-defeat by Greece due to an alleged rift between him and national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, although this was denied.[31] In June 2005, he reversed his decision and returned for the 2006 World Cup qualifying wins against Slovakia and Estonia under Scolari.[32]

 
Figo playing against Mexico at the 2006 World Cup

Figo captained the squad during the 2006 World Cup, leading the team to the semi-finals. With three wins, Portugal finished top of their group and qualified for the knock-out rounds with Mexico. They advanced past the Netherlands in the last 16, and defeated England on penalties in the quarter-final. Figo did not take part in the shootout, having been substituted for Hélder Postiga.[33] In the semi-final, Portugal was beaten by France courtesy of a penalty from his former club-mate and French captain Zinedine Zidane. This was Portugal's best finish in 40 years. The third-place playoff caused some controversy as Figo did not start; Pauleta captained the team in his place. However, Portugal fell behind 2–0 to hosts Germany and Figo replaced Pauleta in the 77th minute, who handed him back the captain's armband to cheers from both Portuguese and German fans. Although Germany scored another goal shortly after Figo's entrance, he ended his final cap for his country on a high note by setting up Nuno Gomes to head in an 88th-minute consolation goal,[34] thus passing his number 7 jersey down to his successor, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite having no trophies to show for the "Golden Generation", Figo managed to captain the team to their best World Cup performance since the Eusébio era in 1966, as well as helping Portugal to their best-ever result in the UEFA European Championship until they won it in 2016. He finished his international career with 127 caps and scoring 32 goals, and held the record until June 2016 for most appearances with the Portugal national team; he is also Portugal's fourth-highest all-time goalscorer.[14]

Style of play edit

At his physical peak, Figo was a quick, elegant, highly skillful player with close control, acceleration, and a dribbling ability that allowed him to frequently take on and beat defenders in one on one situations.[35][36] He would often employ feints to beat opponents, such as stepovers.[37][38] Although naturally right-footed,[39] he was capable of using either foot.[40] Figo was usually deployed as a winger in his early career,[41] where he was capable of providing several assists,[42] due to his ability to provide curling crosses to teammates from the right flank,[36][43][44] or cut inside, drift onto the left, or link-up with midfielders, and create goalscoring opportunities.[36][45]

As he lost pace and mobility with age as his career advanced, he was deployed in a playmaking role as an attacking midfielder, in particular during his time with Inter, where he excelled with his vision, intelligence and varied passing ability.[37][46][47][48] Although he primarily served as a creative player, he was also capable of contributing offensively with goals due to his powerful striking ability from distance,[35] as well as his accuracy from free-kicks and penalties.[37] In addition to his football ability, Figo was also highly regarded for his leadership throughout his career.[37]

Media edit

 
Figo on stage at the Web Summit in November 2016

Figo has appeared in commercials for the sportswear company Nike.[49][50] In 1996, he starred in a Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini, Ian Wright, Eric Cantona, Patrick Kluivert and Jorge Campos, they defend "the beautiful game" against a team of demonic warriors, before it culminates with Cantona striking the ball and destroying evil.[49][51]

In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, Figo starred in a "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded by Nike as "Scorpion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside football players such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, Roberto Carlos and Japanese star Hidetoshi Nakata, with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".[52][53]

Figo features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was named in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 14.[54] In 2015, the arcade game company Konami announced that Figo would feature in their football video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 as one of the new myClub Legends.[55] In 2018, Figo was added as an icon to the Ultimate Team in FIFA 19.[56]

He has also taken part in several Iranian television shows such as Navad TV during the 2018 World Cup draw, together with Hamid Estili and former Hamburg player Mehdi Mahdavikia.[55]

In August 2022, Netflix launched El Caso Figo (The Figo Affair), a documentary about Figo's transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid.[57]

FIFA presidency campaign edit

On 28 January 2015, Figo announced his intention to run against incumbent Sepp Blatter for the position of FIFA president.[58][59][60] His endorsers included José Mourinho and David Beckham.[61] In his manifesto, Figo mentioned his support for expanding the World Cup to 48-team finals tournaments, and promised greater investment in grassroots football and national federations.[61] Considered an outsider compared to Blatter and the other two candidates[61]Michael van Praag and Prince Ali bin Hussein – Figo withdrew from the election campaign on 21 May, stating that he did not want to be given "absolute power".[62]

Personal life edit

 
Figo in Madrid in 2009

Figo is married to Swedish model Helen Svedin. They have three daughters – Daniela (born in 1999), Martina (born in 2002), and Stella (born in 2004).[63]

In 2003, Figo established the Fundação Luís Figo (Luís Figo Foundation) in Portugal, a charity which is headquartered in Lisbon and supports children with special needs and children subjected to poverty.[64][65][66][67][68]

Along with his countryman, former Portugal national team manager and former youth team coach Carlos Queiroz, Figo was briefly joint seat holder for A1 Team Portugal, in A1 Grand Prix, during the 2005–06 season.[69] He is co-owner of an upscale bar in Vilamoura and an hotel in Carvoeiro, both located in the Algarve region of Portugal.[70]

Figo is an ambassador for the Stop TB Partnership in the fight against tuberculosis.[71] He works closely with Inter Milan, serving as an ambassador for the club at functions across Europe.[72][73] He is also a board member of the Inter Campus charity project run by Inter Milan.[74]

Figo is the founder of Network90, a private members' networking site for the Professional Football Industry.[75] Figo is fluent in five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian and French.[76] He has also congratulated his wife on her birthday on Instagram in Swedish, although he has never spoken the language in media appearances.[77]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting CP 1989–90 Primeira Divisão 3 0 3 0
1990–91 Primeira Divisão 0 0 0 0
1991–92 Primeira Divisão 34 1 2 0 2[b] 0 38 1
1992–93 Primeira Divisão 32 0 5 0 2[b] 0 39 0
1993–94 Primeira Divisão 31 8 6 3 5[b] 0 42 11
1994–95 Primeira Divisão 29 7 5 4 2[b] 0 36 11
Total 129 16 18 7 11 0 158 23
Barcelona 1995–96 La Liga 35 5 7 0 10[b] 3 52 8
1996–97 La Liga 36 4 5 3 8[c] 1 1[d] 0 50 8
1997–98 La Liga 35 5 6 1 7[e] 1 3[f] 0 51 7
1998–99 La Liga 34 7 4 0 6[e] 1 1[d] 0 45 8
1999–2000 La Liga 32 9 4 0 13[e] 5 2[d] 0 51 14
Total 172 30 26 4 44 11 7 0 249 45
Real Madrid 2000–01 La Liga 34 9 0 0 14[e] 5 2[g] 0 50 14
2001–02 La Liga 28 7 6 1 11[e] 3 2[d] 0 47 11
2002–03 La Liga 33 10 1 0 15[e] 2 2[g] 0 51 12
2003–04 La Liga 36 9 6 2 10[e] 2 2[d] 1 54 14
2004–05 La Liga 33 3 0 0 10[e] 4 43 7
Total 164 38 13 3 60 16 8 1 245 58
Inter Milan 2005–06 Serie A 34 5 3 0 8[e] 1 45 6
2006–07 Serie A 32 2 7 0 7[e] 0 1[h] 1 47 3
2007–08 Serie A 17 1 1 0 3[e] 0 1[h] 0 22 1
2008–09 Serie A 22 1 0 0 3[e] 0 1[h] 0 26 1
Total 105 9 11 0 21 1 3 1 140 11
Career total 570 93 68 14 136 28 18 2 792 137
  1. ^ Includes Taça de Portugal, Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  4. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ One appearance in Supercopa de España, two appearances in UEFA Super Cup
  7. ^ a b One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance in Intercontinental Cup
  8. ^ a b c Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana

International edit

Appearances and goals by national team and year[78][79][80]
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 1991 3 0
1992 7 1
1993 5 0
1994 5 2
1995 6 1
1996 9 2
1997 7 2
1998 6 0
1999 9 4
2000 13 6
2001 9 9
2002 10 0
2003 10 3
2004 11 1
2005 7 0
2006 10 1
Total 127 32
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Figo goal.
List of international goals scored by Luís Figo[78]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 November 1992 Stade de Paris, Paris, France   Bulgaria 1–1 2–1 Friendly
2 9 October 1994 Daugava Stadium, Riga, Latvia   Latvia 3–0 3–1 UEFA Euro 1996 qualification
3 13 November 1994 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal   Austria 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualification
4 3 June 1995 Estádio das Antas, Porto, Portugal   Latvia 1–0 3–2 UEFA Euro 1996 qualification
5 19 June 1996 City Ground, Nottingham, England   Croatia 1–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 1996
6 9 October 1996 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania   Albania 1–0 3–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 7 June 1997 Estádio das Antas, Porto, Portugal   Albania 2–0 2–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 20 August 1997 Estádio do Bonfim, Setúbal, Portugal   Armenia 2–0 3–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 31 March 1999 Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein   Liechtenstein 2–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
10 18 August 1999 Estádio Nacional, Lisbon, Portugal   Andorra 3–0 4–0 Friendly
11 4 September 1999 Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan   Azerbaijan 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
12 8 September 1999 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania   Romania 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
13 29 March 2000 Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal   Denmark 2–1 2–1 Friendly
14 2 June 2000 Estádio Municipal de Chaves, Chaves, Portugal   Wales 1–0 3–0 Friendly
15 12 June 2000 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands   England 1–2 3–2 UEFA Euro 2000
16 16 August 2000 Estádio do Fontelo, Viseu, Portugal   Lithuania 1–0 5–1 Friendly
17 3 September 2000 Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia   Estonia 2–0 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 15 November 2000 Estádio 1º de Maio, Braga, Portugal   Israel 1–0 2–1 Friendly
19 28 February 2001 Estádio dos Barreiros, Funchal, Portugal   Andorra 2–0 3–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 3–0
21 28 March 2001 Estádio das Antas, Porto, Portugal   Netherlands 2–2 2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
22 2 June 2001 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland   Republic of Ireland 1–1 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
23 15 August 2001 Estádio de São Luís, Faro, Portugal   Moldova 1–0 3–0 Friendly
24 2–0
25 3–0
26 6 October 2001 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal   Estonia 5–0 5–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
27 14 November 2001 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal   Angola 1–1 5–1 Friendly
28 2 April 2003 Stade olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland   Macedonia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
29 11 October 2003 Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon, Portugal   Albania 1–0 5–3 Friendly
30 19 November 2003 Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal   Kuwait 3–0 8–0 Friendly
31 29 May 2004 Estádio Municipal de Águeda, Águeda, Portugal   Luxembourg 1–0 3–0 Friendly
32 3 June 2006 Stade Saint-Symphorien, Metz, France   Luxembourg 3–0 3–0 Friendly

Honours edit

Sporting CP[81]

Barcelona[81]

Real Madrid[81]

Inter Milan[81]

Portugal[81]

Individual

Orders

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Figo Stats". FootballDatabase.com. Retrieved 23 December 2006.
  3. ^ "19 Intriguing Facts About Luis Figo". Facts.net. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  4. ^ admin. "FIGO". Ultimate Football Heroes. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Figo". greatfootballers.weebly.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Pele's list of the greatest". BBC Sport. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  7. ^ "The history of the world transfer record" Archived 2 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 2014
  8. ^ Fitzpatrick, Richard. "Luis Figo to Real Madrid: The Transfer That Launched the Galacticos Era (Refer to Chapter II - Paragraphs 8 and 9)". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  9. ^ Fitzpatrick, Richard. "Luis Figo to Real Madrid: The Transfer That Launched the Galacticos Era (Refer to Chapter II - Paragraphs 8 and 9)". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  10. ^ "expertfootball.com". AFP. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  11. ^ Futsalfeed.com (14 March 2020). "Top 10 Footballers Who Played Futsal!" "Archived 6 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine", "futsalfeed.com". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Nomes e números". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). 2 April 2022. p. 30. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Luís Figo career and awards". Luís Figo Foundation. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d "Ambassador Luis Figo" Archived 8 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. UEFA. Retrieved 19 May 2014
  15. ^ Marshall, Alan (26 July 2000). "Figo was set to be Maine man; Madrid star nearly joined City for pounds 1m". Daily Record. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Figo falters in face of Catalan fury" Archived 18 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Telegraph. Retrieved 19 May 2014
  17. ^ Nash, Elizabeth (25 July 2000). "Figo defects to Real Madrid for record £36.2m". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lowe, Sid (2013). Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid. London. pp. 338–367. ISBN 978-1-4464-9663-3. OCLC 1012150466.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. ^ "Barcelona v Real Madrid: The curious incident of the pig's head at the Nou Camp". BBC. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  20. ^ Jefferies, Tony (27 November 2002). "Barcelona are braced for a stiff penalty". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  21. ^ "The best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history". Marca. Spain. 12 April 2013.
  22. ^ "Figo announces retirement after Inter land title". AFP. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  23. ^ "Figo officially announces retirement". AFP. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  24. ^ "Luis Figo gebührend verabschiedet". Neue Zürcher Zeitung. 31 May 2009.
  25. ^ "Portugal progress as Group D winners". UEFA. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  26. ^ "England crushed in five-goal classic". BBC Sport. 13 June 2000. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  27. ^ a b Nascimento, Hélio (7 June 2001). "Figo de fora - uma raridade" [Figo out - a rarity] (in Portuguese). Record. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Figo hat-trick secures victory for Portugal". ESPN Soccernet. Reuters. 15 August 2001. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Portugal 1–1 England". BBC Sport. 18 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  30. ^ "RÚSSIA-PORTUGAL, 0-2 (Maniche 7, Rui Costa 88)" (in Portuguese). Record. 16 June 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Luis Figo announces international retirement". 19 August 2004. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  32. ^ "Figo makes international return". 19 May 2005.
  33. ^ "England beaten in penalties again" Archived 31 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2014
  34. ^ "Germany 3-1 Portugal" Archived 28 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2014
  35. ^ a b "Figo best in world". BBC. 17 December 2001. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  36. ^ a b c "Rui Costa picks his #One2Eleven on The Fantasy Football Club". Sky Sports. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  37. ^ a b c d "CALCIO STORY-Il giocoliere di Lisbona: "Luis Figo"" (in Italian). Corriere della Notizia. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  38. ^ Williams, Richard (19 June 2004). "Do-or-die battle puts Portugal in purgatory". the Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Figo, la moglie Helen fa ancora invidia" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  40. ^ Carlin, John (24 December 2013). "A dazzling triangle could fit Beckham's velvet foot into Real's golden". The Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  41. ^ "L'undici perfetto di Ryan Giggs a FFT". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  42. ^ "Figo-Inter, è vero addio". gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  43. ^ "Romania-Portogallo (0-1) UEFA Euro 2000" (in Italian). UEFA. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  44. ^ Livie, Alex. "Figo calls it quits". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  45. ^ Thorpe, Martin (10 June 2000). "Neville plans to send Figo backwards". the Guardian. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Spagna, Figo si sfoga: "Se hai 30 anni sei vecchio"" (in Italian). CalcioMercato.it. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  47. ^ "L'Inter ricomincia con il piede sbagliato" (in Italian). La Gazzetta di Modena. 29 July 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  48. ^ Agnew, Paddy (14 March 2014). "Figo a pass master rather than a past master for Inter". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  49. ^ a b Jackson, Steven J. (10 November 2004). Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation. Routledge. p. 186.
  50. ^ "Nike and Maven Networks Introduce JogaTV". Nikego. Nike. 17 April 2006. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  51. ^ "Kaka, Figo will not meet PM Imran Khan". thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  52. ^ "A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts". NikeBiz. Nike. Archived from the original on 2 June 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  53. ^ Cozens, Claire (3 April 2002). "Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  54. ^ "Football Legends Coming to FIFA 14 Ultimate Team". EA Sports.com. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  55. ^ a b Matt Porter (9 December 2015). "Legends Coming to myClub in PES 2016". IGN. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  56. ^ "FIFA 19 Ultimate Team: What Icons are in the new game and how do you get them?". Goal. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  57. ^ Burton, Chris (22 August 2022). "The Figo Affair: Netflix's deep dive documentary about controversial Barcelona - Real Madrid transfer". Goal.com. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  58. ^ "Luis Figo: I want to be FIFA president" Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. CNN. Retrieved 4 February 2015
  59. ^ "Luis Figo runs for FIFA Presidency" Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Goal.com. Retrieved 4 February 2015
  60. ^ "Luis Figo to Challenge Sepp Blatter for FIFA Presidency" Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. ESPN. Retrieved 4 February 2015
  61. ^ a b c Rumsby, Ben (19 February 2015). "Luis Figo launches Fifa presidency manifesto by saying World Cups could be staged over two continents". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  62. ^ "And then there were two…Luis Figo drops out of FIFA presidential race". World Soccer. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  63. ^ Hernández, Nuria (24 February 2020). "Así es Martina, la hija mediana de Figo: íntima de Amina Martínez de Irujo y modelo". Vanity Fair España (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  64. ^ "Fundação Luís Figo apresentada no Porto". Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  65. ^ "Fundação Luís Figo doa milhares de máscaras e fatos de proteção". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  66. ^ "Fundação Luís Figo motiva a frequência do Ensino Superior" (in European Portuguese). 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  67. ^ "A "casa" de Luís Figo em Oeiras para acolher famílias em risco — idealista/news". www.idealista.pt (in Portuguese). 24 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  68. ^ "Luís Figo - «Se não houver propostas, é difícil pensar em regressar a Portugal»". Revista Nova Gente (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  69. ^ "Portugal Unveils A1 GP Team". Autosport. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  70. ^ "Sete Café: O ex-libris de Vilamoura tem assinatura de Figo". www.jornaldenegocios.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  71. ^ "Luís Figo - My Goal: Stopping Tuberculosis". stoptb.org.
  72. ^ "UEFA, cities and clubs united in Barcelona" Archived 19 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  73. ^ "F.C. Internazionale Milano - Official Website". FC Internazionale - Inter Milan.
  74. ^ "Inter Campus". intercampus.inter.it. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010.
  75. ^ "Network90: A New Place for the Industry To Meet". 11 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  76. ^ "Sepp Blatter faces Figo, five others in FIFA election: What you need to know" Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. ESPN. Retrieved 28 January 2015
  77. ^ Alsalman, Ibraheem (23 October 2020). "Luis Figo skriver till frun Helen på svenska" (in Swedish). Expressen. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  78. ^ a b Luís Figo at National-Football-Teams.com
  79. ^ "Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo - Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  80. ^ "Luís Figo". Portuguese Football Federation. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  81. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Luís Figo - UEFA.com". UEFA.com. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  82. ^ "LaLiga EA Sports: Top assists by season". www.besoccer.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  83. ^ "UEFA Champions League 2004/05 - History - Statistics – UEFA.com". UEFA.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  84. ^ "Figo winner at San Siro Gentleman". inter.it. 9 May 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  85. ^ "Legends". Golden Foot. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  86. ^ "IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players". IFFHS. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  87. ^ "Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas" [Portuguese Honorary Orders] (in Portuguese). Presidency of the Portuguese Republic. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  88. ^ "D. Duarte condecora selecção nacional". Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 31 August 2006. Retrieved 6 March 2021.

External links edit