Lus Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo is a retired Portuguese footballer who previously represented Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale. He was not only one of his country’s greatest footballers, but also one of the greatest midfielders in football history. Figo began his career as a youth prodigy for Sporting CP in Portugal and also helped his country win age group championships before making his senior debut. Within a short period of time, he was being courted by some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. He played for some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, and assisted them in winning major trophies. He was a founding member of Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’ team. Luis Figo was also a key member of the Portuguese national team, being a member of the team’s ‘Golden Generation’ as they developed into a team that was feared by all. By finishing third in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Figo secured his place in history as a Portuguese football icon.
Childhood & Adolescence
Figo was born in Almada, Portugal on 4 November 1972 to Antonio CaeiroFigo and Maria Joana Pestana Madeira. According to his parents, Figo began playing football as a child and it became his sole passion.
Luis Figo joined U.F.C. OsPastilhas as a child, and his abilities as a street footballer were quickly recognized by those who observed him. Figo joined the Sporting Clube de Portugal, also known as Sporting CP, academy when he was 11 years old. He had attracted interest from more prestigious clubs but chose Sporting.
As a child, Figo competed for the Portuguese national team in the Under 21 World Championship and the Under 16 European Championship, helping the team win both competitions and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most sought-after young players.
Luis Figo made his senior team debut for Sporting CP in 1990, and he scored 16 goals in 137 appearances for the club over the next five seasons, helping them win the Portuguese Cup in his final season. He also made his debut for the Portuguese national team a year after his debut for Sporting CP.
Figo was set to join either Parma or Juventus in Italy, but he eventually joined Spanish giants Barcelona FC in 1995 for a fee of £2.25 million. Figo truly developed into one of the world’s best players during his time at Barcelona, where he helped the team win two Spanish league titles. Figo scored 30 goals in 172 club appearances.
Luis Figo represented Portugal at the 1996 European Championships in England, scoring a goal in the national team’s quarter-final appearance. Four years later, in the European Championships, he scored against England, but Portugal was eliminated in the quarter finals. Figo also assisted Portugal in qualifying for the first time in 16 years for the World Cup in Japan and Korea, but they were eliminated in the group stages.
Luis Figo moved to Barcelona’s archrivals Real Madrid in 2000, a move that sparked outrage among Barcelona fans. Real Madrid paid him $60 million and that made him the most expensive player in the world. He spent five years with Real Madrid, winning one Spanish League title and one UEFA Champions League title. In 164 appearances for the club, he scored 38 goals.
Luis Figo captained Portugal to the final of the European Championships held in Portugal in 2004 and to a third-place finish at the World Cup in Germany two years later.
Luis Figo left Real Madrid for Inter Milan in 2005. He spent four years with the club, scoring nine goals in 105 appearances and winning one Italian Serie A title in his final season. After his tenure with Inter Milan ended, he announced his retirement from football.
Luis Figo announced his intention to run for the FIFA presidency in 2015 against Sepp Blatter’s allegedly corrupt regime, but he withdrew five months later.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 2001, Luis Figo was named FIFA World Player of the Year. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, and his most significant accomplishment was leading his country to their best World Cup finish in history at the 2006 tournament. Portugal finished third in the tournament, and Figo was instrumental in their success.
Personal History and Legacies
Luis Figo married Swedish supermodel Helen Svedin in 2001, following a five-year relationship. Daniela, Martina, and Stella are their three daughters.
Estimated Net Worth
Luis Figo is a former professional soccer player from Portugal who is worth $50 million. Luis Figo was born in November 1972 in Almada, Portugal. He was a winger and attacking midfielder for Os Pastilhas and Sporting CP during his youth career.
Figo made his senior career debut with Sporting CP in 1989 and remained with the club until 1995, scoring 16 goals in 137 appearances.