It's for Real as Figo signs record deal

MADRID, JULY 25. Portuguese international Luis Figo officially signed for Real Madrid for 10 billion pesetas (about $56 million) on Monday, making him the world's most expensive footballer.

Everything was signed and sealed to end weeks of speculation, before Figo was officially presented as Real's latest recruit.

But almost as soon as he had put pen to paper, Figo blasted former club Barcelona for what he called a ``lack of dialogue.''

He stormed: ``they (Barca officials) did not want a dialogue - they thought only of the club and I thought only of myself,'' Figo said in an interview.

About Real, Figo simply said that ``they showed they wanted me and made the effort to get me.''

Figo helped his country to the semifinals of the recent Euro 2000 tournament and is considered by many as one of the best wingers in the world.

Earlier, Figo's agent Jose Veiga and lawyer Vicente Montes Flores deposited 10 billion pesetas (about $56 million) plus 2.7 per cent tax with the Spanish football league.

The fee, including the buy-out clause, was paid once the medical tests had been completed. Figo joins on a six-year contract and an annual salary of 800 million pesetas ($4.5 million), as against the 500 million pesetas he earned at Barcelona.

The fee beat the previous record of $54 million paid by Lazio for Parma's Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo this summer. Crespo moved in a swap deal with Portugal's Sergio Conceicao and Argentina's Mathias Almeyda joining Parma.

The 27-year-old Figo joined a small group of players, including Denmark's Michael Laudrup and Germany's Bernd Schuster, who have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

With Figo's signing, Real's new president Florentino Perez, elected on July 16, kept his promise to rope in the talented playmaker.

``It's a promise I made during the presidential campaign two weeks ago,'' said Perez. ``Now it has become a reality. Luis Figo is, in my opinion, the best player in the world. As Real are the best club in the world, it's normal for the best player in the world to play for the best club in the world.''

The player flew from Portugal in a private jet to Torrejon, a military airport in the south of Madrid, before all the formalities were completed.

Figo was officially presented in Real Madrid's trophy room to about 100 journalists in the presence of Real legend Alfredo di Stefano.

Figo will be unable to wear the No. 7 shirt, which he had worn for both Barcelona and Portugal, because it is worn by club darling Raul.

Barcelona and Real officials had been contradicting each other for weeks about the likelihood of Figo moving to Madrid.

Barcelona's new president Joan Gaspart criticised Figo for wanting to stay at Barcelona and wanting more money at the same time. In the end, the capital club finally upstaged the Catalonians.

Yet to sink in

Luis Figo's former teammates at Barcelona reacted with a mixture of disappointment and regret at the Portuguese international's move to Real Madrid.

``It is going to take me some time to get used to seeing Luis Figo wearing the white of Real Madrid,'' said club captain Josep Guardiola.

Local-born Guardiola is seen as a symbol of all that Barcelona stands for. Only a short time ago, Figo stood alongside him as the club's most respected player.

``He's a one-off, brilliant and has great talent,'' Guardiola said. ``Luis has chosen what he thinks is best for him and his family, and to that extent I respect his decision.''

Other players hinted at the difficulties Figo is sure to encounter when he returns to play at the Nou Camp.

``From the point of view of the fans it is the worst team he could go to,'' said defender Sergi. ``When he plays against Barca, the fans will receive him as they think appropriate,'' he added, referring to the hostile reception given to other players - Bernd Schuster and Michael Laudrup among them - after signing for the club's archrival.

Gaspart calls it immoral

Barcelona's newly-elected president Joan Gaspart, who could hardly have had a worse first day in charge of the club, was critical of the circumstances surrounding the operation, which saw Figo sign a contract with Real president Florentino Perez during his election campaign.

``Unfortunately in life you can't walk the tightrope without a risk of falling off, and this time he has fallen off,'' said Gaspart. ``The document they signed was completely immoral.''

Gaspart, who had warned that the Figo deal could lead to a tit- for-tat Barca raid on Real, stopped short of declaring an all-out transfer war but made it clear the matter would not be forgotten.

``We aren't going to start anything but, and I don't want this to sound like a threat, I'm not going to forget this,'' said Gaspart. ``Someone who does this to me will pay for it.''

The reaction from fans in Catalunya was one of anger. The head of the Barcelona fan club, named after Luis Figo, could hardly control his feelings on hearing the news of the world record transfer.

``This is just too much and won't be forgiven by God,'' said the head of the Barcelona Luis Figo supporters' club. He said he no longer wanted any reminder of the player in his bar, which is the headquarters of the club.

``From now on it's forbidden to even mention Figo's name here,'' he raged. ``We are definitely going to change the name of the supporters' club.''

- AFP & Reuters

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : M. Waugh-Warne issue will not be reopened: ACB
Next     : India defeats Ireland