Birth Date: November 4 1972
Birth Place: Almada
Birth Nation: Portugal
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75Kg
Nationality: Portugal
Position: Midfielder
Full Name: Luis Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo
Luis Figo Rumours and Transfers
02 08 2007
Inter have stunned Man Utd with a 3-2 win at Old Trafford to take the Pirelli Cup.
The Nerazzurri have treated their English tour as an exercise in gaining match fitness and lost both games to Valencia and Arsenal in the Emirates Cup this weekend.
Inspite of being a month off the start of their domestic season, Roberto Mancini's men had the better of the game and had taken the trophy.
Wayne Rooney had given Man Utd the lead on the counter attack sparked by Cristiano Ronaldo and was left unmarked to fire in an angled drive after 17 minutes.
Inter did not wait around and struck back almost immediately through summer signing David Suazo, who had also scored their only goal in London.
Luis Figo's cross was held up by Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the former Cagliari hitman to strike from close range.
Ibrahimovic has only played brief periods in this pre season schedule as he tries to recover from surgery to correct a muscular problem, however he scored a sensational goal on 27 minutes.
Dejan Stankovic dispossessed Patrice Evra and combined with Figo before Ibra thumped a brilliant volley past Edwin van der Sar.
Suazo has settled in very quickly to his new team after the protracted negotiations with Cagliari and completed his brace before half time, again combining with the inspired Figo.
Inter unveiled their new 2007/2008 strip and fielded Cristian Chivu as a left back in the 1st half, however switched him to the centre after the break with Marco Materazzi making way.
Rooney clipped the top of the crossbar, however United only got back into the game thanks to a howler from Adriano, who nodded Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick into his own net!
Luis Jimenez and Julio Cruz also entered the fray and tiredness set in for the Italian club that is almost month behind English sides in terms of fitness preparation.
Julio Cesar parried a Ronaldo effort, whilst Rio Ferdinand and Adriano wasted golden opportunities to add to the scoreline.
The Pirelli Cup goes to Inter, who won 3-2 at Old Trafford.
22 07 2007
Inter manager Roberto Mancini is convinced Juve will be firmly in the Scudetto race this season.
'We'll must wait and see. They have lots of new and talented players, so I think they will challenge for the Scudetto with us, Milan and Roma.'
The Bianconeri would become the 1st side in Italian football history to win the title straight after promotion to the top flight.
They were sent down to Serie B last summer in the wake of Calciopoli, however earned promotion straight back up inspite of a 9 point penalty.
Mancio's men are defending their Scudetto and still looking for reinforcements in the shape of Roma defender Cristian Chivu.
'I do not know what is happening there. I honestly have no idea,' assured the tactician of the endless transfer saga.
'Would we require Emerson? We'll see, as at the moment we are struggling a little because there are players out and we have lots of friendlies before the Italian Super Cup with Roma. It is the same issue as Chivu – good players are always welcome in an already strong team that can still improve. Emerson is one of the best in the world in his role.'
The Brazilian was informed he can leave Real Madrid by new manager Bernd Schuster, however is thought to be closer to rivals Milan.
Above all, Inter can count on the rejuvenation of some familiar faces. Adriano puts his partying lifestyle behind him, this weekend confessing to a form of alcoholism brought on by depression, whilst Luis Figo discarded the transfer to Saudi Arabia.
'Adriano has always had self-confidence and I hope he continues with this newfound enthusiasm,' commented Mancio.
'Luis is the same good professional with pure quality. It is important that we kept him. I do not think he can play 60 games per season, especially thinking about his age, however 30 at a high level could be perfect for him and for us.'
19 07 2007
Real Madrid are being linked with a sensational €60 million move for Andres Iniesta.
In Spanish football every player has a get out clause in his contract, which in theory means a club can buy a player without the consent of the seller.
In the case of Iniesta he has 3 years to run on his current FC Barcelona deal, with a buy out of €60 million (£40 million), which Real are now thinking about matching.
Barcelona opened contract talks with Iniesta at the end of the season, following reports of interest from Serie A.
However, news of Real's sudden interest would spark a transfer scramble for the Spanish international.
Sources in Spain say Iniesta is the man new coach Bernd Schuster would like to lead his side, after they missed out on prime target Cesc Fabregas, who opted to remain at Arsenal.
Reports in Madrid claim that Iniesta could be willing to listen to the offer from the Bernabeu, as he is not guaranteed a 1st team slot with Barca.
Real are no strangers to making moves on Barca, as they bought Javier Saviola on a free transfer earlier in the summer, however lots of at Camp Nou still remember the acrimonious departure of Luis Figo when he joined Real in 2005.
18 07 2007
Inter veteran Luis Figo said that that he would like to win the Champions League at San Siro before ending his career.
The former Portuguese international had originally been set to join Al Ittihad in the summer, however the move collapsed when he terminated his agreement with the Arabian club.
'I am very happy to be here, even though the next year will be very different from the 6 months I could have lived in Arabia,' Figo informed La Gazzetta dello Sport.
'We all would like to do well and we have good objectives. It is logical that my main target remains the Champions League,' continued the former Real Madrid star.
'Even if I am 35, I still dream of winning as much as I can. I really hope I will be able to play often, especially the important matches. That is every player's wish.'
Figo explained that the main reasons behind his decision to remain at Inter were the supporters' affection and President Massimo Moratti's wish to keep him at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
'After it became clear that there were some problems with Al-Ittihad, I started to consider different options. During the party for the Scudetto I was moved by the fans singing my name and asking me to stay. Then I spoke to Moratti, it is not easy to say no to him, think me. He is a unique person in football, once you know him you cannot avoid helping him make his dreams come true,' concluded Figo.
18 06 2007
Inter winger Luis Figo has stated that he would like to win the Champions League before hanging up his boots next year.
The Portuguese player had originally been set to join Arabian side Al Ittihad, however the deal fell through and he decided to remain at the San Siro for another season before taking on a directorial role.
'My objective for next year is to win the Champions League with Inter,' mentioned Figo in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
'The next season will be my last one as a player and I hope it will end in the best probable way,' added the Nerazzurro.
The Portuguese veteran, who joined Inter from Real Madrid in 2005, was also questioned on his former club, which he did not leave on good terms.
'I was unhappy there during the last period, problems started when people like President Florentino Perez started to think they were football experts, which was not the case,' explained Figo.
'I decided to leave, I would sign for other Spanish outfits, however Inter's offer represented the most fascinating challenge and that is why I joined the Nerazzurri,' concluded the former Sporting Lisbon star.
11 06 2007
Luis Figo will remain as a player for another year and then take on a directorial position at Inter, said the club.
The Portuguese veteran had originally been set to join Arabian side Al Ittihad in the summer, however he mentioned they 'broke promises' so the deal fell through.
He had taken 2 weeks to make a decision, insisting the only 2 options were another season at San Siro or retirement.
'Luis Figo says that his wish to play another season with Inter, and on the basis of agreements already made, will renew his contract until 30 June 2008,' read a statement from the Nerazzurri.
'At the end of next season, Figo will put his good experience and professionalism at the service of the club to take care of international relations.'
08 06 2007
LA Galaxy chief Alexi Lalas has stated that he could be delighted to welcome Inter winger Luis Figo to his team.
The Portuguese veteran recently cancelled a transfer to Saudi Arabia and was paired with Tottenham, however said Wednesday that Inter were the only European side he would consider.
'We know that Figo is on the market and we will follow the situation very carefully,' Lalas informed the Diario de Noticias newspaper.
'If the player were interested in experiencing a spell in the U.S we could be ready to do anything to sign him,' added the former Padova defender, whose club has already signed David Beckham.
'The MLS' main objective is to allow our League to become one of the most important in the world,' concluded Lalas.
Figo stated that he still has not come to a decision over his future, however expects to do so before the end of this month.
In the meantime, Inter confirm their pre season training camp will take place in Brunico for the 4th consecutive year, with the Nerazzurri staying in the mountains from July 14 to 25.
The Beneamata will then fly to England for one week, when they will take part in the Emirates Cup tournament with Arsenal, Paris SG and Hamburg, as well as facing Man Utd in a friendly at Old Trafford.
07 06 2007
Luis Figo has rubbished recent reports in England that he is pondering a transfer to Tottenham. "I will quit or play on for Inter," he said.
The Portuguese winger's future is in doubt after he pulled out of a multi million pound transfer to Middle Eastern club Al-Ittihad.
But the midfielder has dismissed stories in the UK that he was keen on joining compatriot Ricardo Rocha at White Hart Lane.
'There is no truth in this news,' Figo informed the Nerazzurri website. 'If I continue playing in Europe I will only do so for Inter. There is no possibility of me playing in England or Portugal,' added the former Real Madrid man.
Figo recently admitted that that he will decide on his next move by the middle of June, however he still has doubts over whether he has the wish to give the Italian champions one more season.
'I still do not know if I will continue playing, however I will make a decision soon,' he continued.
'I do not have much time to think about it and I am aware that I must decide quickly because the new season is only around the corner. However, I would like to highlight the fact that I still have not made up my mind, there could be no point in hiding my decision if I had already made it. I will let everybody know when everything was decided.'
The winger, a free agent, was asked by owner Massimo Moratti to remain after the impact he made during their record-breaking Scudetto campaign last season.
