Choosing to leave Barcelona for Real Madrid wasn't a decision that came easily to Luis Figo.
The Portuguese's controversial move caused a stir at the time, but he has offered some explanation as to why he made the choice to swap the Camp Nou for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
"It was an important but difficult decision," Figo said on Instagram Live.
"I left a city that gave me a lot and where I felt good.
"But when you don't feel like you're recognised for what you're doing and you have an offer from another club then you think about it."
Amongst all of the talent Figo played alongside in his career, Raul Gonzalez's desire to win shone through more than anyone else's.
The pair were teammates at Real Madrid, and the Spaniard left an impression on the Portuguese icon.
"Raul is a winner," Figo said. "It's because of his mentality that he won so much in his career.
"He always knew what to do and how to move on the pitch.
"Ronaldo has speed and power but it's hard to choose Raul's best [attributes], he had a bit of everything, he always scored and made a difference."
Figo coincided with a host of big names in his playing days, from Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo at Madrid to Rivaldo and Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
"I played with a lot of great players," Figo said.
"Ronaldo, Zidane, Rivaldo, [Hristo] Stoichkov, Guardiola, [Fernando] Hierro, [Juan Sebastian] Veron.
"But I would always back Raul to score."
ManchildUzoukwu
1
Must you comment? Are you Figo? How can you know why he left when u re not a witch.
nucdintuz
0
ogbeni Figo shut ur mouth dir. infact as at that time he was along of one of the best Blaugrana players along side Rivaldo. the truth about his Real Madrid is that he knows Barca wer not dat European dominance when it comes to Champions league football and Madrid wer and he knows Madrid is financially ok to buy anybody as at that time. he went due to the money involve and I tink Madrid as a better project then that was y he left not becos he wasn't loved. u better say the truth that u are a big betrayer and stop this ur fallacy talks. 😠😠😠😠😠
Zunbcklryz
0
Figo is right, great players then , Rebeto Carlos, cafu, Patrick viera, bebeto vanisaroy, Stam , Albetin, R bagio
Zunbcklryz
0
Tells Dybala to be taken lemon grass tea. is the cure recommended for covid -19 diseases to be saved..
Foubdmnpsz
1
Go to hell Figo
you too
hizaiklpyz
0
Same thing happen to Griez he came to Barca and don’t feel recognized it really hurt
hello.my advises to Barcelona is.for now they r having very good squad than most of the Big Teams in the world.the caoch has to use his tactics as a big caoch.u no when dea say a coach.it is not only to silect players by their names and tell them guys go and play.you know what to do.just like that no.as a coach the fest thing u should try to no is.the area where your team is lack right.as for me.a upcoming coach with all my experience.i no the Barcelona team is lack on the flanks.so in this situation as a senior coach.u have to look at the technical players that u have and convert them into position's that r lack.so my advice to Barcelona coach is. just send mesi to the flank bc he is a original flanker.and he is not having the gass he was having before when he was young.so now mesi ousmane Dembele r the actual flankers for the team backed by Ansu fati.the actual nom.10 for Barcelona for now upwards is F.De Jong the man with the nom 21 Jasy.mesi Dembele.7.11 backed by ansu fati.luis Suarez's.or the Griezmann.in case of injury.by doing so u get d Barcelona we know before.but d truth is.frankie De Jong is d actual offensive midfielder for now in Barcelona.d midfielder is too comfortable on d Ball. is just to motivate him on the offensive area finish.pls just take time and watch him carefully on d Ball.caoch spanish kamara.upcoming very very strong.by God's will.thanks in advance.
vibilnosy
0
After Retirement of Messi, Barcelona will be worse than AC millan🤣🤣🤣
ur club is even snuggling to be in top 5
Zanblmosuz
2
[image]
hm, much better than Manchester utd
KingJerryTheGreat
1
Do you support Juventus because of Ronaldo or because of the club?
I've been supporting Juventus since 2015.
midcdkmnp
0
Most of those who played for both sides of the El Classico were Barcelona players who chose to join Real Madrid L. Figo Brazilian Ronaldo Bernd Schuster J Saviola Michael Laudrup
Eto'o went to Barca from Real Mallorca not Madrid
midcdkmnp
0
Most of those who played for both sides of the El Classico were Barcelona players who chose to join Real Madrid L. Figo Brazilian Ronaldo Bernd Schuster J Saviola Michael Laudrup
Honestly Jao Felix is overrated. The price tag was too much for a boy who just showed himself for a season at Benfica. He can never smell world best player when we have players like Neymar, Hazard and co. He is just a dreamer
Agubenjamin
7
DarkPersona
0
After Retirement of Messi, Barcelona will be worse than AC millan🤣🤣🤣
Jeez man save yourselves first, your club doesn't even play the CL now. We have lots of talent and belief here. If Messi goes, yes we'll struggle a bit, but it will notmalise, unless like a someone Red Devil who is now no better than Getafe
Vatadeilot
1
Reasons given over a discission made over such a long period are always treated as after thoughts and not genuine reasons.
MN9
0
that's why Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus , for Juventus is a better team that Real Madrid.
Ronaldo went to Juventus because he wanted to try in a new league , But Figo remained in the same league man. Actually,Figo came to Real Madrid because he was offered a lot of money..
MN9
1
we all know Portuguese are real time traitors, don't hide under the mask we know your Ronaldo speaking [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
How Ronaldo is a traitor ?
Tshoda
2
Then Messi would have left the club by now.. the truth is are ain't tied to one club forever once u feel u should leave then it's okay but don't find excuses that are not true just to safe yourself from criticism.
FootballKingCR7
0
but u forgot Samuel Eto'o from Madrid to Barca🤔🤔
i said most, not all.
KingBobbychal20
1
dude you left because of money, actually people like you helped barca remember cruyff style and decided to stick with their young talents maybe that's what they need neymar did the same but didn't bring them back to their senses maybe he should have joined madrid too, barca don't need big names(player) in their squad la masia have good promising young talents that need more chance, but now all they want is to become madrid which doesn't suit them and even financially they are not good at marketing at least not as good as Madrid, I remember before barca don't even have major sponsors but now they are trying to sell their naming rights just pay debt which is sad I know covid-19 has major role but also all those big players they bought with big salary is also another reason, I hope they wake up soon or they will end up like berlusconi's Milan
After Retirement of Messi, Barcelona will be worse than AC millan🤣🤣🤣
RealMadrid92
2
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
jackbismark
0
Most of those who played for both sides of the El Classico were Barcelona players who chose to join Real Madrid L. Figo Brazilian Ronaldo Bernd Schuster J Saviola Michael Laudrup
but u forgot Samuel Eto'o from Madrid to Barca🤔🤔
Emperor10
1
stop the nonsense talk. the thing is you have the legal right to move on but you're morally wrong recognize it brother
Weodeklt
0
get lost Figo get lost don't need you and we don't spell your name at the camp nou traitors are not needed
Kopbmruz
1
we all know Portuguese are real time traitors, don't hide under the mask we know your Ronaldo speaking [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
So should we start saying that all Argentinians are drug addicts now?
LeoSultan
1
Traitor
Richieodiase
3
Same thing happen to Griez he came to Barca and don’t feel recognized it really hurt
Boebloprs
0
He’s talking about Brazilian ronaldo🤣🤣😂
but he is not talking about Brazilian Ronaldo, he is talking about c Ronaldo and he knows what he's saying. he is just making a point that the Portuguese are like that.
VictorAde
1
we all know Portuguese are real time traitors, don't hide under the mask we know your Ronaldo speaking [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
How has cr7 ever betrayed you... Pls think b4 comment... Just cos u hate Madrid doesn't mean u can start saying trash
Boebloprs
0
Because Real is obviously the better club? That’s more than obvious actually.
.but he never said all this you people are saying. he's like trying to defend his infamous move from Barcelona.
Rashnic/GOAT/CR7
1
LEGEND of the game
pozbiknopt
0
yoccmruy
3
Go to hell Figo
Vikasaustin
2
if you want to be recognised individually where you should consider everyone equal in a team then you did very well by joining real madrid 🙏👍👍👍
akxsh
0
signed the contract with RM to earn more money at barca, didn't read the clauses properly and betrayed barca
Jojoski
12
dude you left because of money, actually people like you helped barca remember cruyff style and decided to stick with their young talents maybe that's what they need neymar did the same but didn't bring them back to their senses maybe he should have joined madrid too, barca don't need big names(player) in their squad la masia have good promising young talents that need more chance, but now all they want is to become madrid which doesn't suit them and even financially they are not good at marketing at least not as good as Madrid, I remember before barca don't even have major sponsors but now they are trying to sell their naming rights just pay debt which is sad I know covid-19 has major role but also all those big players they bought with big salary is also another reason, I hope they wake up soon or they will end up like berlusconi's Milan
FootballKingCR7
5
Most of those who played for both sides of the El Classico were Barcelona players who chose to join Real Madrid L. Figo Brazilian Ronaldo Bernd Schuster J Saviola Michael Laudrup
Vezonic22
2
It was your destiny Figo, nothing else.
25220691(deleted)
1
Do you support Juventus because of Ronaldo or because of the club?
epic reply bro
Hemikr
0
we All Know Real Madrid is best Club in world so Figo no need to Explain cos u made a good decision
Don’t paunch on ur face by yourself remember Ronaldo just left Real Madrid for juventus.we respect figo decision to left Barca because he get more money and Real Madrid Spend more money on him,,
wiyabeklsz
12
we all know Portuguese are real time traitors, don't hide under the mask we know your Ronaldo speaking [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Ameerul24
0
that's why Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus , for Juventus is a better team that Real Madrid.
the old ladies
kowbceiluy
1
we All Know Real Madrid is best Club in world so Figo no need to Explain cos u made a good decision
that's why Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus , for Juventus is a better team that Real Madrid.
modabmpuy
8
we All Know Real Madrid is best Club in world so Figo no need to Explain cos u made a good decision
Waudlpu
1
Whatever!!
BlueBlackSnake
1
We all have choices and reasons why we leave some clubs unexpectedly just like how Van Persie left Arsenal for ManU, Tevez left ManU for ManCity, Ronaldo left Madrid for Juventus and many more just as Figo. Sometimes we never know the real reason but it's always there or never there.....
Do you support Juventus because of Ronaldo or because of the club?
BlueBlackSnake
6
Because Real is obviously the better club? That’s more than obvious actually.
KingJerryTheGreat
4
We all have choices and reasons why we leave some clubs unexpectedly just like how Van Persie left Arsenal for ManU, Tevez left ManU for ManCity, Ronaldo left Madrid for Juventus and many more just as Figo. Sometimes we never know the real reason but it's always there or never there.....
karlu1985
1
the Ronaldo in question is the Brazilian number nine,read the headline before you post a stupid comment, imbecile !!!.
Penaltea
1
Same spirit you have with C.Ronaldo your brother, you both like show casing
He’s talking about Brazilian ronaldo🤣🤣😂
Evans0323
4
Same spirit you have with C.Ronaldo your brother, you both like show casing