Luis Figo: "It was a wise move to leave Barcelona" – La Liga News
Luis Figo continues to create controversy in Catalunya years after his transfer from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 to eternal rivals Real Madrid. The retired professional footballer stated that his decision to make the controversial jump proved to be wise in the end.
Figo was the captain of Barcelona when interest from Real Madrid came. The Portuguese left for the glittering lights of Madrid to leave the cultural surroundings of Catalunya behind for a then world record transfer.
The 37 million Euro signing enjoyed huge success, lifting La Liga titles and becoming a European champion in 2002.
A key player in Real’s Galacticos era, Figo left the Spanish capital in 2005 to link up with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan. He was part of the backroom staff that won the UEFA Champions League with the Italian giants.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 captain’s comments will incite more hatred in the Catalan capital where he is already a despised figure.
Figo stated that he was right to leave Barcelona for Real Madrid, who were the team to play for. The Portuguese is currently kept busy by participation in 'Football Talks', organized by the Portuguese League.
He has once again reiterated his stance that switching his allegiance from La Blaugrana to Los Blancos was not a matter of financial economics.
Figo said that Barcelona were ready to listening to offers for him, however, a sale to Real was frowned upon as much as it is now. They wanted to make money off him and they did; the only problem was the involvement of Real.
"It was a matter of economics but of appreciation. Gaspart informed the president that there were clubs willing to pay my buyout clause and asked if I wanted to renew. When they realized I was going to Madrid, it was too late," he explained.
The Portugal ace did concede that he could have made his exit from Barcelona less controversial, and if given a chance he will do things differently. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the decision was right and he improved as a player, as his winners medals
testify.
"I made some mistakes during my exit from Barcelona, but it was a wise decision. I won in prestige, experience and qualifications. Seeing what happened to some of my colleagues in the following years, I realized I was right," Figo concluded.
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