“I remember commenting to Pep that it was impossible for us to lose” - Luis Enrique on how Barcelona beat Luis Figo after Real Madrid move
Luis Enrique recently spoke about Luis Figo's first return to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona after moving to Real Madrid. He hailed the atmosphere at the ground and pointed out that they couldn't lose that game.
Luis Figo spent five years with Barca, having joined them from Sporting CP in 1995. He registered 45 goals and 70 assists in 249 appearances for them, winning two LaLiga titles, among other honors. However, he then made the highly controversial move to their arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2000.
Figo was heavily criticised for the move and Barcelona fans even hailed abuse at him for the betrayal. Luis Enrique, who played for Barca at the time, recently reminisced about Figo's first return to Camp Nou. He said (via Barca Universal):
“The game I experienced the most atmosphere at Camp Nou was the day Figo returned. Figo was like a brother to us. He was our best player and he left for Madrid. I remember commenting to Pep that it was impossible for us to lose. There was an energy that was even scary.”
“Figo was marked by a very young Puyol, a beast. Figo was Madrid’s best player despite that pressure, which I wouldn’t have imagined there would be, and we won the game because it was impossible not to win it,” he added.
Real Madrid lost that match 2-0. During his time with Los Blancos, Figo faced Barcelona 10 times across competitions, winning thrice, losing thrice, and drawing the other four times.
Luis Figo explains why he joined Real Madrid from Barcelona
Luis Figo's move to Real Madrid from Barcelona is one of the most controversial moves in football history. It was also because of the way the transfer was carried out. Los Blancos presidential candidate Fiorentino Perez and Figo's agent were involved in the move. The latter signed a lucrative contract, which had a €30 million penalty clause if Figo didn't move.
The Portuguese legend explained (via The Guardian):
“Only I could save them, by going to Madrid. I was very calm about my own position although at the same time I had a [duty of] care for those working with me. But the decision, I take. I’m the one responsible for it, for my actions. The decision to pull them from that responsibility is mine alone.
"And a year later I stop working with my agent. Because of some situations that emerged. I said: ‘OK, I’ll take responsibility again. From now on, you have your life, I have mine.’”
Figo was one of Real Madrid's first 'Galaticos' and spent four years at the club after moving from Barcelona. He registered 57 goals and 94 assists in 245 games, winning two LaLiga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy, among other honors.
