Luis Figo is one of the finest wingers in the world, with the ability to
take on defenders and score spectacular goals.
A young Figo was brought to Barcelona from Sporting Lisbon by Johan
Cruyff to follow in the footsteps of the seemingly irreplaceable Michael
Laudrup.
He became Barcelona captain, where he managed to fill Laudrup“s
boots and more for the Catalan club, winning two League titles, two
Spanish Cups, one Spanish Super Cup, and, in Europe, winners medals in
the Cup Winners“ Cup and the European Super Cup.
Figo came to real prominence in this season's Champions League
competition, where he led Barcelona to the semi-final.
1989: Wins FIFA World Under-16 championship with Portugal
1990: Makes debut for Sporting Lisbon
1991: Wins FIFA World Under-20 championship
1992: Scores first goal for Portugal's senior side against
Bulgaria
1995: June, signs for Johan Cruyff's Barcelona
1997: Wins Spanish Cup, Super Cup and European Cup Winners'
Cup with Barcelona
1998: Wins Spanish league and cup double as well as European
Super Cup
1999: Helps Barca retain first division title, scoring seven
league goals
2000: 24 July, Moves to Real Madrid for world record $56.1 m
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But Figo missed the game through injury and the Spanish giants were
beaten by the lesser fancied Valencia.
On a national level Figo has won the Under-20 World Championships with
Portugal after already winning the European Championships at Under-16.
Figo had an injury scare heading into Euro 2000 but England soon
realised he was back to his best.
He fired an unstoppable equaliser from 30 yards in Portugal's 3-2 win
in the group stages against Kevin Keegan's outclassed side.
He was Portugal's playmaker and his vision and skill saw the outsiders
reach the semi-finals where they were dumped out by France in a
controversial penalty incident in the last minute of extra time.
Figo tore his Portugal shirt off in disgust and walked off the pitch.
He is now back in the headlines by becoming the world's most expensive
signing - for a phenomenal £37m ($56m).
