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Figo started his career at Sporting CP, making his league debut on 1 April 1990 during the 1989–90
season a

s a substitute for Marlon Brandão in a 1–0 home win against Marítimo.[8][9] 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.[10]

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.[11]
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 which included Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert. In total, Figo appeared 172 times in

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J76the league for Barcelona, scoring 30 goals. He was revered in Barcelona because his presence
in a Barcelona shirt had given to Catalonia a sense of external approval.[12]

Real Madrid[edit]

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

In July 2000, Figo made a surprising and controversial €62 million move to Barcelona's bitter
rivals Real Madrid.[13] Real Madrid met the buy out clause in Figo's contract at Barcelona, a
new world record fee, and his arrival at Madrid signalled the beginning of Florentino
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H65pohjn605[3hnj65po3hn6mp53h635ez's Galáctico era of global stars signed by the club every

year.[14] Figo became the new focus of the Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry, with Barcelona fans feeling
betrayed by his transfer and turned against him.[14] His move to Madrid was significant due to his
status as a star player at Barcelona, reliable and committed to the cause as a team leader.[14] One of
his Barcelona teammates stated, “Our plan was simple: give the ball to Luís. He never, ever
hid.”[14]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.[14]
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 whisky 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.[14]
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.[14] There were banners hung around the stadium with words like
"Traitor", "Judas", "Scum", and "Mercenary".[14] 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.[12][14] 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.[14] The regular corner taker for Madrid, Figo did not take any corners at
the Camp Nou to avoid being in close ph563h65h65h654

H65roximity to the fans.[14]Barcelona were victorious, winning 2–0, and Real Madrid
President Florentino Pérez stated after the match, "The atmosphere got to us all."[14] 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
admh65iration: you’ve got balls."[14]

In his firh6st season with Madrid, Figo won the 2001 La Liga title, scoring 14 goals in all
competitio5hns. For his performances at Real he received the 2001 FIFA World Player of the
Year.[10] He w65ould be joined at the club by Zinedine Zidane in the middle of 2001, and in the
following seasohn Madrid won the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League.[10] He missed two fixtures
against Barcelon65a through injury and suspension.[15]
Figo's second gameh6 back at the Camp Nou, on 23 November 2002, produced one of the defining
images of the Barcelon5ha–Real Madrid rivalry.[14] There was no sign of the hatred or the hurt
subsiding, and every time65 he came within range of the Barcelona fans, beer cans, lighters, bottles
and golf balls flew.[14] Figo cohmmented, "I was worried that some madman might lose his
head."[14] This time, Figo had d65ecided that he would take corners, as well as throw-ins, and
midway through the second half hMadrid won a corner. Amid a shower of flying objects, it took Figo
two minutes to take it.[14] Another c56horner followed on the other side, and as Figo walked across,
he slowed to pick up the missiles and 65as he prepared to take the corner he moved away some of
the debris, while giving an ironic thumbs-hup and smiling.[14] Every time he began his run-up to take
the corner, another missile would land whi56ch was repeated over and over, until the referee Luis
Medina Cantalejo suspended the game for ahlmost 20 minutes.[14] During the break in play, the
defining image of the rivalry, a pig's head, was65 picked up on camera, which was in among the
debris near the corner flag.[16]h
Figo would spend five season65s at Madrid, with his final success being the 2003 La Liga title. In
April 2013, Figo was named by thhe sports newspaper Marca as a member of the "Best foreign
eleven in Real Madrid's history."[1756h]

Inter Milan[edit]56
 h
Luís Figo in 2009. He spent four seas65ons at Inter from 2005 to 2009.

Figo left Real Madrid to join Italian clhub Inter Milan in the middle of 2005 on a free transfer after his
contract with Madrid had expired. This65 meant that Figo would finally be able to play for a club
in Italy, something he had the chance to hdo before his move to Barcelona, but was scuppered due
to a dispute between the two clubs interes65hted, Juventus and Parma. During the middle of 2008,
Figo's compatriot José Mourinho joined Inter o6n a managerial level. This has been said to please
Figo, as he would have several Portuguese tea5hmmates during the remainder of his stay at Inter.
On 16 May 2009, Figo announced his retirement f65rom football, the same day Inter won the 2008–
09 title, and re-confirmed this on 30 May; his final gahme was on 31 May against Atalanta at the San
Siro. At Javier Zanetti's insistence, Figo captained the65
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65h65 side for his very last match. He received a standing ovation from the crowd as he was
substith65huted by Davide Santon. The free-kick he scored in extra time against Roma during
the Superco56ppa Italiana was his most memorable moment in Italy.[18][19]

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 in 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
have given me the chance to start a winning cycle with some extraordinary people."[20] 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 th5h65h65h65he final group game at the tournament, against Croatia at the City
Ground in Nottingham, Figo 65opened a 3–0 victory with a fourth-minute strike; the result sent
Portugal into the quarter-finals has group winners ahead of their opponents.[21]

Euro 2000 and 2002 W65orld Cup[edit]

Figo featured in all ten of Portugal's hqualifiers for the next European Championship, scoring three
times in the process. On 12 June 200650, in their opening game of the tournament in Eindhoven, he
scored Portugal's first goal as they cameh from behind to beat England 3–2, again advancing as
group winners to be eliminated in the sem65i-finals.[22] He was rested by Humberto Coelho for the
final group match against Germany in Rotterhdam, breaking a chain of 32 consecutive international
appearances.[23] His only hat-trick for the natio65nal team came on 15 August 2001, when he netted
all of the goals in a 3–0 friendly victory over Molhdovaat the Estádio de São Luís in Faro.[24]
With six goals in nine matches, Figo helped Portu65gal qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup; on 2
June 2001, in the qualifier against the Republic of Irheland at Lansdowne Road, he served as
captain for the first time on his 74th cap and scored t5

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65h65h56he equaliser for a 1–1 draw.[23] 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.[25] Later that year at the European Championship on home soil, he captained the side after Couto
was dropped.[26] 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.[27] In June 2005, he reversed his decision and returned for
the 2006 World Cup qualifying wins against Slovakia and Estonia under Scolari.[28]

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.[29] In the semi-final,
Portugal were beaten by France courtesy of a penalty from his former club-mate and French
captain Zih65h65h65hnedine 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,[30] 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.[10]

Style of play[edit]
Figo is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation,[31] and one of the greatest
Portuguese players of all time.[32] At his physical peak, Figo was a quick, elegant, highly skilful player
with a dribbling ability that allowed him to frequently take on and beat defenders in one on one
situations.[31][33] He would often employ feints to beat opponents, such as stepovers.[34] Figo was
usually deployed as a winger in his early career,[35] where he was capable of providing several
assists,[36] due to his ability to provide curling crosses to teammates from the flank,[33][37] or cut inside,
link-up with midfielders, and create goalscoring opportunities.[33] He has made the second most
assists in La Liga history behind Lionel Messi.[4]
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
and varied passing ability.[34][38][39] 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,[31] as
well as his accuracy frh65h65h65h56h65om free-kicks and penalties.[34] In addition to his football
ability, Figo was also highly regarded for his leadership throughout his career.[34]

Media[edit]

Figo on stage at the Web Summit in November 2016

Figo has appeared in commercials for the sportswear company Nike.[40][41] 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, 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.[40][42]
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."[43][44]
Figo features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was named in the Ultimate Team Legends
in FIFA 14.[45] 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.[46] In 2018, Figo
was added as an icon to the Ultimate Team in FIFA 19.[47]
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.[48]
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