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Luis Figo (Wikipedia) was born on the 4th November 1972 in Almada, Portugal. He joined Sporting CP's youth academy at age 12.
In 1995, with the European club elite becoming familiar with him, Figo looked as if he would make a move to a big Italian club. But he signed deals with both Juventus and Parma, which didn't go down well with the powers that be, and he was banned from playing for any Italian club side for 2 years.
So instead Figo moved to FC Barcelona.
When Figo joined Real Madrid from Barcelona in the year 2000, he was to learn just how deep a rivalry there is between the 2 clubs.
It never seems to be talked about in this way these days, but this is my memory of how the deal played out at the time. Euro 2000 had just finished and Portugal had matched their best showing at a major tournament up to that point in time, reaching the Semi-Finals.
Florentino Pérez had made a deal that if he was elected President of Real Madrid, he had a clause to sign Figo from Barcelona. At first it looked as if Pérez had no chance, and as such Figo made a statement that in no way would he be leaving Barcelona for Madrid. But then Pérez came out and said that if he won the election, he would be able to bring Figo over. Quite unexpectedly, this fact won Pérez the election, the clause was activated and Figo had no real choice but to make the move.
Figo would learn first hand how the rivalry between Spain's top 2 clubs could turn vicious, being subjected to verbal abuse, as well as having objects thrown at him, any time Real Madrid played at Barcelona's Nou Camp.
In 2005, Figo moved to Italian club Inter Milan. He announced his retirement from football on 16 May 2009, the same day Inter won the Italian top flight; he ended on a high!
Figo won the Spanish club teams top flight with Barcelona in 1998 and 1999; he also won the top flight with Real Madrid in 2001 and 2003.
In terms of significant European club titles, Figo won the 1997 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona; he also won the 2002 UEFA Champions' League with Real Madrid.
Figo is seen as one of the greatest players ever for the Portuguese national side. He was in the teams that reached the Semi-Finals of Euro 2000 and World Cup 2006, as well as the Final of Euro 2004. He currently sits 4th in the list of top goal-scorers for Portugal with 32 goals; and his 127 caps also put him 4th in most appearances for the national side.
Figo won the Ballon D'Or in 2000, and was named Fifa World Player of the Year in 2001.
Portuguese Club Teams Domestically
Portuguese Club Teams in Europe
Portuguese Players Domestically
Portuguese Players in Club Teams in Europe
Portugal National Team History