Luis Figo: biography of the football player

Luis Figo is one of the most talented players in history. He acted as a midfielder, became the first captain of "Barcelona", being an alien, helped Portugal in 2000 to reach the Euro semi-finals. Excellent dribbling and tremendous strikes left no chance for the enemy. Coupled with a good partner, Luis Figo could overcome any defense. The actions of the player on the football field were admired by more than one generation of fans around the world.

Biography

Luis was born on November 4, 1972 in the small town of Almada (Portugal). Luis Figo, from childhood, played football in the poor streets of his native region. At the age of eleven he was noticed by scouts and moved to the capital of Portugal. There, Figo began to study at the youth school "Sporting".

The first mentors recall that already in his childhood Luis Figo surpassed his partners in technology and speed. He not only quickly learned to play, but also knew how to organize an attack. Luis chose the role of the right midfielder.

First successes

Awards to the Portuguese came quickly. In 1989, the World Junior Championships took place in Scotland. The national team of Portugal, which included Luis Figo, was able to win bronze medals. Two years later, Portugal itself hosted the World Cup for players no older than 12 years. This time in the treasury of the team and midfielder were awarded gold medals.

The success, which helped coach Carlos Keirosh, did not go unnoticed. Soon the mentor stood at the helm of the main Portuguese team and began to prepare it for the 1994 World Cup. Emphasis was placed on young players, including Figo, but the national team at the world championship could not have flashed.

"Sporting"

The midfielder made his debut in the Lisbon team when he was not yet 18 years old. Despite his young age, the footballer showed himself with the best hand, scoring important goals. Luis Figo liked the fans and was interested in many famous clubs. As part of the "Sporting" he won the Cup of the country and won the silver medals of the championship. The player appeared 137 times on the field and scored 16 goals. In 1995 there were rumors about the transition to "Benfica", but more generous was the leadership of "Barcelona".

"Barcelona"

In the Spanish team, the midfielder was invited by Cruyff, who was then the head coach. So Luis Figo was in the strongest team of the planet. Then he was only 23 years old. A year later, the famous Dutchman left the post of coach, and in his place came other experts, but this did not affect the game Figo.

In Catalonia, the Portuguese fully revealed. In 1997, Figo helped the team win the Cup Winners' Cup and the European Cup, and a year before that, the country's Super Cup. There were two Spanish cups and as many champion titles. Luis Figo, whose photo appeared in every newspaper, won the recognition of fans and was a symbol of the club.

Euro-2000

At the European Championships, held in Belgium and the Netherlands, Luis Figo became a key player in Portugal. The first match of the group was very tense. Portugal played against the ancestors of football - the British. Already by the 18th minute the last was 2: 0. Break the game was able to Figo, scoring a beautiful ball. The first time ended with a score of 2: 2, and in the second, Portugal won.

Then the Portuguese confidently beat Romania and defeated Germany. In the playoffs, they got Turkey, which was defeated with a score of 2: 0. The bright play of Portugal did not leave indifferent any spectator. Many of her prophesied the title. In the semi-finals they got France. The main time ended with a score of 1: 1, and in extra time in the gate of Portugal was appointed controversial penalty, which was implemented by Zidane. Luis Figo and his partners received bronze medals and love of fans.

"RealMadrid"

In 2000, Luis Figo received the "Golden Ball" as the best player in Europe. At the same time, there was information that the midfielder moved to Real Madrid. Many fans of the Catalan team were dissatisfied with the transfer. The cost was 37 million pounds, which was a record.

The first season for the new club brought the title of Champions of the country, as well as the semi-finals of the League of European Champions. Then there was another victory in the championship of Spain, the Super Bowl, the Champions Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. In the "royal" club, the midfielder spent five years.

"Internationale"

In 2006, the player moved to Inter. The Italian team was the last in the career of a football player. In the club, he spent four seasons and became a four-time champion of the country.

On May 31, 2009, Figo held a farewell match. The game was played against "Atalanta". The midfielder entered the field with a captain's armband and spent 42 minutes. When the player was changed, the teammates lined up in one line, and the match was interrupted for a few minutes.

After the completion of his football career, Luis Figo did not leave the sports field. He stayed at Inter and took the lead. Quite often the former star can be seen on the bench of the Italian club, next to the head coach.

To love a Portuguese football player, millions of fans of football around the world could. Luis Figo made a huge contribution to world football and went down in history as one of the best Portuguese players.