It was a move which struck a dagger right through the heart of Catalonia. It was seen as the ultimate act of betrayal, as their star player walked out on the traditions and culture of Barcelona in favour of the potential swathes of glory and trophies on offer at Real Madrid. It was a galling move for the Portuguese winger to make, having spent five seasons with the Catalan outfit and making a name for himself as one of the worlds best players. Seven trophies had been collected in his time at the club, including back-to-back league titles, so it wasnt as if Barcelona were starved of success. It was earth-shattering news to the Barca contingent, as their nightmares were realised - their fiercest and most bitter arch-rivals had triggered Figos £37 million buy-out clause. It was a world record fee at the time, and to their dismay, their Portuguese starlet obliged, signalling the beginning of Florentino Perezs Galactico era. The extent of the hurt and pain Barcelona supporters felt by Figos betrayal can be summed up by the scenes of hatred upon his return to the Nou Camp in October 2000, wearing the white shirt of Los Blancos. The noise was deafening, banners were emblazoned with the words traitor, mercenary and Judas, and missiles rained down from the heavens at their former starlet.
''By the second or third corner, I turned to Luis Figo and said Forget it, mate. Youre on your own. I used to offer Luis the chance to take the short corner, drawing up close to him near the touchline, but not this time. Missiles were raining down from the stands: coins, a knife, a glass whisky bottle. Johnnie Walker, I think. Best to keep away. Short corners? No thanks. - Michel Salgado, November 2002.
The hostility would never truly subside, with Figo having a pigs head thrown at him in a derby game in 2002, and even having a fan run onto the pitch to toss a Barcelona flag at him during the Euro 2004 final. Figo would spend five season with Los Blancos, winning seven trophies, including the Champions League in 2002. Hell probably say the pigs head was worth it. So, that's a wrap - do you agree? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
