Figo: All the skills at his feet

New Delhi: The ‘Golden Generation’ in Portuguese football during the early 90’s was what it took to reinstate Portugal’s reputation in world football and a central figure in this battle for supremacy was Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo.

The rise of the teenage prodigy from Sporting Lisbon was tracked early and it helped Figo to bag his first international cap in 1991 against Luxembourg.

Having already established his credentials by winning Portugal the Under-20 World Championship and Under-16 European Championship, Figo didn’t take much time to settle into the senior side.

Known for his exceptional trickery and dribbling skills at either wing though he prefers to play on the right, Figo’s nimble footwork and dazzling tricks with the ball have won him many a fan across the world.

Figo has played in the Spanish and the Italian (currently with Inter Milan) leagues besides his home league for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. But he has enjoyed most of his success while playing for Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Luis Figo’s breathtaking skills on the pitch put him right at the top and was hailed as one of the modern day greats of the ‘beautiful game’.

With his lightening pace on the pitch becoming increasingly difficult for defenders to control, Figo became one of the most fouled players in the history of the Spanish League.

Luis Figo became the 2000 European Footballer of the Year and on the following year; he bagged the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year Award, while playing for Real Madrid.

But all his credentials were shortlived when Portugal, who qualified for the World Cup finals in 2002 for the first time after 1986, crashed out of the tournament, dashing all expectations from Figo’s fans.

Figo announced his retirement from international football after playing a crucial role in Portugal’s run to the final in Euro 2004, but came back the subsequent year to give his country’s World Cup qualification campaign a much needed boost.

And this year’s World Cup in Germany being his last tournament before he hangs up his boots, Figo will seek redemption for the last edition’s early exit from Korea/Japan.