Luis Figo reveals reason he left Barcelona for Real Madrid | OneFootball

Luis Figo has claimed a lack of “recognition” was behind his decision to leave Barcelona and join Real Madrid back in 2000.

In what was an unthinkable move at the time, the former Portugal international crossed the El Clásico divide for a then world record fee of 10bn pesetas (£37.2m).

The 45-year-old was involved in an Instagram Live when the question of why he moved from the Nou Camp to the Bernabeu arose.

“It was an important but difficult decision,” Figo said (via Marca).

“I left a city that gave me a lot and where I felt good.

“But when you don’t feel like you’re recognised for what you’re doing and you have an offer from another club then you think about it.”

Figo, who spent five years with Los Blancos before joining Inter Milan on a free transfer, also discussed his admiration for former Real team-mate Raúl Gonzalez.

“Raúl is a winner,” Figo said.

“It’s because of his mentality that he won so much in his career. He always knew what to do and how to move on the pitch.”

He continued: “I played with a lot of great players; Ronaldo, Zidane, Rivaldo, [Hristo] Stoichkov, Guardiola, [Fernando] Hierro, [Juan Sebastian] Veron.

“But I would always back Raúl to score.”

Whatever the merits of his controversial decision, Figo brought success wherever he went.

His two biggest individual achievements came at Real when he was awarded the 2000 Ballon d’Or and 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year.