Figo... a world star who must not be forgotten

I remember being in the Black Forest on a school trip, getting ready to watch England take on Portugal in Euro 2000. I was only 13 at the time, and every English person in that room predicted a comfortable, easy win for England. Sure enough, England were two nil up and coasting, until Luis Figo unleashed a bolt from the blue, a titanic 35 yard strike which David Seaman could only watch as if it were a shooting star.

As the goal thundered into the net, it sparked the revival of a Portuguese comeback which saw them remarkably win the match 3-2. More importantly though, that tournament sealed the the start of a golden year for Figo, Portugal reached the semis, he was named European Footballer of the year, and sealed what was at the time a world record $56 million transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid. It would be an understatement to say that 2000 was Figo's breakthrough year! To top it all off, Figo unleashed a rant that year at Zidane pipping him to World Player of the Year, claiming that people should not have just looked at Zizou's performances in Euro 2000, and looked at the year as a whole for a broader picture. In 2001, Figo was voted World Player of the year.

Now, five years on, Figo has been axed from Real Madrid after falling out with Real's coach Wanderley Luxemburgo. Figo was reportedly furious at constantly sitting on the bench for Real last season, and has been moved on unceremoniously to Inter Milan. Along with this, Figo could not resist the attempt to take a parting shot at his former coach, saying he would have preferred to say goodbye to the Madrid fans in a different way.

“I had hoped to leave Real in another way. I wanted to salute the fans, given that in five years they always treated me really well,” said the 32 year old Portuguese winger.

“My conscience is clear though. I always behaved in the manner of a serious professional and I know that the fans wish me well.

“At Madrid, I met a person who did not have faith in me but in sport and life that happens – you meet people who have more or less belief in you,” Figo added.

“I was disappointed with the man who was in charge of the team but it was a fantastic experience for me at Real and I wish them all the best.”

I for one am bitterly disappointed that Figo did not opt to spend the twilight of his career in the Premiership. He had been linked frequently with European Champion's Liverpool this summer, but the move seemed unlikely when Real demanded a fee for Figo.

Undoubtedly, at his peak, Figo was one of the best players to ever grace a football pitch. His mouthwatering performances at Euro 2000, in particular his display against Turkey in the quarter final, will live on in memory for years to come. And although his reputation has been questioned with some below par performances in Korea and Japan in 2002, and again in Euro 2004 (Despite Portugal reaching the final), he is a footballer that gave a new meaning to an attacking right sided midfielder, with his ability to cut inside and terrify the living daylight out of the opposition's defence. One of the last remaining of Portugal's so-called "Golden Generation" of players who won the world youth championship in 1989, Figo is a true footballing prodigy.