Luis Figo
The Portuguese winger who starred for Barcelona before a world-record move to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Luis Figo joined FC Barcelona in 1995 for a £2.25 million fee, after a dispute between Italian clubs Juventus and Parma prevented a move to Serie A. At Barcelona, his career took off. He won the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup alongside Ronaldo, followed by successive Primera División titles as 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.
- Role
- Right Winger / Central Midfielder
- Affiliation
- FC Barcelona (1995–2000)
- Nationality
- Portuguese
- Key Honours
- Two La Liga titles, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Figo's time at Barcelona was defined by success and a shocking end. His 172 league appearances and 30 goals made him a fan favorite. But in July 2000, Real Madrid met the €62 million buyout clause in his contract, a new world record fee. Barcelona fans felt betrayed, branding him a traitor. When he returned to the Camp Nou in a Real Madrid shirt on 21 October 2000, the noise was deafening. Banners read "Traitor," "Judas," "Scum," and "Mercenary." Missiles like oranges, bottles, and mobile phones flew. Figo did not take corners that night to avoid the fans. Barcelona won 2–0. Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez said, "The atmosphere got to us all." Madrid defender Iván Campo recalled, "That night when Figo first went back was incredible. I've never heard anything like it."
In Their Own Story
On 23 November 2002, Figo returned to the Camp Nou for the second time as a Real Madrid player. The hatred had not subsided. Beer cans, lighters, bottles, and golf balls flew every time he came near the Barcelona fans. Figo later said, "I was worried that some madman might lose his head." This time, he decided he would take corners. Midway through the second half, Madrid won a corner. Amid a shower of flying objects, it took Figo two minutes to take it. Another corner followed on the other side. As Figo walked across, he slowed to pick up the missiles and gave an ironic thumbs-up and smile while preparing to take the corner. Every time he began his run-up, another missile would land, repeated over and over. Referee Luis Medina Cantalejo suspended the game for almost 20 minutes. During the break, the defining image of the rivalry appeared: a pig's head was picked up on camera among the debris near the corner flag.
Reader's Guide
Figo played for Barcelona from 1995 to 2000. He appeared 172 times in the league for Barcelona, scoring 30 goals. His transfer to Real Madrid in July 2000 set a world record fee of €62 million. He won the 2000 Ballon d'Or largely for what he did at Barcelona, where he became the best in the world. His presence gave Catalonia a sense of external approval.
Did You Know?
- Figo joined Barcelona for a £2.25 million fee after a dispute between Juventus and Parma resulted in an Italian two-year transfer ban on him.
- He appeared 172 times in the league for Barcelona, scoring 30 goals.
- Figo won the 2000 Ballon d'Or largely for what he did for Barcelona, where he became the best in the world.
- His transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000 set a world record fee of €62 million.
- When Figo returned to the Camp Nou in a Real Madrid shirt on 21 October 2000, the game was suspended for almost 20 minutes after a pig's head was thrown onto the pitch.