Luis Figo, the former football superstar, found himself at the centre of controversy once more after directing an uncouth gesture towards a Barcelona supporter in Lisbon. Figo, now 52, was attending the official dinner ahead of the Women's Champions League final, which drew various dignitaries to the event. As he arrived, he was met with a hostile reception from a lone onlooker sporting a bright yellow Barcelona jersey. The confrontation, escalated by the heckler's taunts of "traitor," prompted Figo to respond with an obscene gesture before attempting to engage further, only to ultimately walk away, perhaps aware that his actions were being captured on camera.
This incident echoes the protracted fallout from Figo's controversial transfer in 2000, when he made the audacious move from Barcelona to Real Madrid for what was then a world-record fee of £52 million. At the time, such a switch was unprecedented and deeply polarising, inciting fury from Barcelona supporters who felt he had betrayed their faith in him. Notably, Figo had previously expressed unwavering commitment to Barcelona, only to shock fans and pundits alike when he chose to join their fiercest rivals.
The ramifications of that decision have endured over the years. Supporters’ animosity was palpable during Figo's returns to Camp Nou where he faced relentless jeering and even hostile assaults. Notably, during one notorious match, he was showered with an array of objects, including coins and even a pig's head, as thousands chanted "traitor" in unison. Describing the experience in a later interview, Figo reflected on the mental strain of such confrontations, stating, "These days, there's more protection. It felt like I was doing a press conference every day. That takes its toll."
Barcelona's long-standing hurt from Figo's departure was underscored when the club prevented him from participating in their Legends XI match against Juventus, reflecting the deep-seated animosity even years later. The former Barcelona president, Joan Gaspart, has maintained a sharp criticism of Figo, labelling him a "traitor" and alleging that he exploited Barcelona’s circumstances to negotiate a more lucrative deal with Madrid.
In a candid interview, Figo mused on the motivations behind his decision, stating, "The main reason I left was because they valued me and genuinely wanted me... it could have been a cock-up, but it wasn't." This sentiment, however, did little to quell the backlash, as many in the football community questioned not just his loyalty, but also the ethical ramifications of such a significant transfer.
Figo's legacy remains a complex blend of admiration for his talents and a sense of betrayal among a faction of football fans. His gesture in Lisbon serves as a reminder that even after two decades, the past continues to influence the present, illustrating the deep emotional ties that football can evoke. As Figo navigates his connections with the sport post-retirement, the spectre of his past choices looms large, highlighting the sometimes bitter relationship between professional athletes and their supporters.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services