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Luis Figo has justified his expensive transfer from Barcelona to their eternal rivals.
Luis Figo, one of the most iconic names in football, recently revisited his controversial move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000 during an interview with El Mundo via SPORT.
The 52-year-old Portuguese legend, who became the most expensive player in football history at the time, shared insights into his career, financial decisions, and the pressures of playing for Los Blancos.
Figo’s transfer remains one of the most talked-about events in football, not only for the staggering fee but also for the intense rivalry between the two Spanish giants.
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Reflecting on his time at Real Madrid, the 2000 Ballon d'Or winner candidly addressed questions about his financial gains during his record-breaking transfer.
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While he refused to respond to queries about his net worth, he acknowledged that “I earned well” at the club. Yet, he clarified, “the money was not for me,” refraining from divulging the specific numbers behind his earnings as a Galacticos.
Figo speaks on Mbappé and the pressures of Real Madrid
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The conversation naturally turned to the challenges faced by Kylian Mbappé, the French superstar currently adapting to life at Real Madrid.
Drawing from his own experiences, Figo empathised with the 25-year-old Les Blues skipper, describing the intense expectations at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“I have lived through the pressure. People want things quickly but you have to give time,” Figo remarked, explaining that integrating into a new country and team takes patience.
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He also spoke on the unique demands of playing for Real Madrid, stating, “It is not the same to play in a team as to play for Real Madrid.”
Figo acknowledged that pressure often affects players, making it challenging to exhibit their full potential immediately.
However, he expressed confidence in Mbappé’s ability to succeed, saying, “In general, great players like Mbappé will sooner or later demonstrate their virtues.”
Kylian Mbappe injury update
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Mbappe is currently sidelined for the defending Spanish champions after picking up an injury during their 3-2 Champions League win against Atalanta–in which he scored.
Carlo Ancelotti was initially optimistic that Mbappe had avoided any serious damage, citing "overload" as the reason for his early departure.
However, Madrid released an official statement with a more severe diagnosis.
"Following tests carried out on Kylian Mbappe today by the Real Madrid medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a thigh injury in his left leg," the club said. "His progress will be monitored."
The French star will play no part for Madrid who are scheduled to compete in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday 18 December.
The LaLiga champions will play either Egypt's Al Ahly or Pachuca from Mexico after the latter pulled off a shock win over newly crowned South American champions Botafogo on Wednesday.
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