Back to Madrid, the Laureus awards group old glories, ancient legends and active players. For the meeting place that the organization has prepared in the center of Madrid, the Communications Palace, headquarters of the City Council in the Plaza de Cibeles, Asoma … A regular of the Real Madrid celebrations at its source of celebrations. Luis Figo, the footballer who broke the markets and codes. From Barça to Madrid for 60 million euros in 2000. Florentino Pérez’s first galactic.
In addition to Laureus ambassador, Figo is a UEFA collaborator, its president Ceferin, an enemy of Florentino Pérez by the Super League that does not start and the Champions League format. The Portuguese is the protagonist in the football session of the awards.
“How do you think you are reminded, star of Barça or Real Madrid?” “Ah, I have no idea, I don’t care much what people think of me,” he replies to ABC. “But how do you look?” The question comes back. «I see myself as the best of all time. If I don’t think about it, nobody will think about it, ”replies the Portuguese.
Figo the best in history, according to him, also received the severity of Santiago Bernabéu, an inflexible stadium that has already whistled to his new star, Kylian Mbappé, nine months dressed in white. “He has put many goals,” says the former soccer player. I don’t know can analyze a season only if you want titles or not. Did they whistle? Madrid’s hobby has been whistled to everyone, so it is not strange ». “You too?” He is remembered. «Well, to me too. If I ever played badly, they have been whistled.
The Bernabéu thermometer has also arrived in Vinicius, who barely celebrated the goal that VAR annulled him against Athletic. More about the Madrid fans, according to Figo. «I don’t know what happened to Vinicius, I’m sorry. But I think it is never good to be faced with your hobby. What you want as a footballer is to play well, that they support you and that people are happy. The other hobbies give you the same, but yours wants me to love you ».
The white atmosphere points to Ancelotti, what a novelty, after the defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League. Figo sees it unfair: «I am a person who has been in football for many years and I know that there is short memory, and that it is only for the last result. Maybe it’s because Madrid is, but I am very surprised to get a coach with the value of Ancelotti. The only question after the elimination was about his future. He has won everything he has won and demonstrates his worth every year. You can’t always win.
Figo also played at Barça, even if it is the demon for the culés. And so analyze the team already Flick. «I know the coach since before, did a very good job at Bayern. The doubt was how he could integrate into a philosophy about the game that I know well. He is doing it phenomenal. Lamine? I am surprised by the maturity and personality that shows with that age. When you are young you don’t think about responsibility and what you mean, you just want to play football.
Now UEFA member, Figo does not see a solution to the calendar mixed with the salaries of the players: «It’s a snowball. Clubs play more games, earn more money and offer better contracts to players. They are many competitions, yes, but if you ask the player if he wants to rest, he will say no. He prefers to play and earn money. It is a difficult balance.
