Former Portugal captain Luis Figo has disclosed the real reason behind him leaving FC Barcelona for Real Madrid back in 2000.
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Figo played for Blaugrana between 1995 and 2000, but decided to leave the Catalan club for Los Blancos because he felt undervalued at the Camp Nou.
"Nobody will hear me say anything bad about Barcelona apart from my end there," Figo said, as quoted by Sport.
"It was a fantastic era that helped me grow a lot as a player. I enjoyed those five years there a lot. I don't regret my past. They allowed me to be who I was as a professional, I can only say good things.
"When I spoke with him (former Barcelona president Josep Lluis Nunez, about a new contract), I think that he thought it was a bluff of mine (the offer from Real Madrid) to improve my economic terms.
"It was an important step. I knew that I came (to Madrid) with the objective of winning more prestige and titles. In better economic conditions. It was, in the end, recognition, because at the end of the day it all started with the anger you get in your job when you're not recognised for what you do. And you say, 'OK, I will take this step.' But when it all gets so serious, you say, 'Bloody hell.'
"And you have to decide, and I did. I have always given my best at every club. And when you feel that you do something and they don't recognise you or listen to you, well you say, 'F*** it.'"
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The former Portugal captain played 253 times for Real, scoring 61 goals and assisting a further 42 strikes.
Do you think Figo was a traitor for leaving Barcelona? Have your say in the comments section below.
