“There were always complaints from Real Madrid”

In 1998, after conquering the double of the League and Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona celebrated in fashion within the streets of town. The Barca euphoria culminated within the Generalitat with a phrase that will without end mark the historical past of Spanish soccer.

From the balcony of Sant Jaume’s sq., Luis Figo pronounced the phrases that will be recorded within the collective reminiscence: “I solely inform you one factor. I believe there are a lot of individuals who need to congratulate us all for this triumph,” the Portuguese started earlier than releasing the bomb.

“White, weeping, congratulates the champions,” Figo shouted earlier than hundreds of followers culés who roared with emotion. At the moment, the Portuguese excessive routinely grew to become an absolute idol of the Barcelona followers, with out imagining what destiny held.

That season had been particularly profitable for Barça. The Catalans conquered the league with 9 factors forward of Athletic Membership and As soon as in comparison with Actual Madrid. In Copa del Rey in addition they dominated, strongly eliminating a number of rivals earlier than beating Mallorca within the last.

The context of the phrase turns into particular relevance by remembering Figo that all through the season had emerged a number of complaints and claims from Actual Madrid. White consistently accused Barcelona of being favored by the referees, making a everlasting rigidity ambiance between each golf equipment.

The enjoyment of the Portuguese and his companions contrasted with the Madrid drought of these years. The merengue entity had solely conquered a league and a nationwide supercopa within the final 5 seasons of the 20th century, though partially compensated with European successes similar to two Champions League.

Nonetheless, the story would take an sudden flip two years later. In the summertime of 2000, Florentino Pérez signed Figo for Actual Madrid in an operation that shocked the world of soccer. Culé love immediately reworked into visceral hatred to who had been his idol.

Your explanations

Virtually three a long time after these controversial celebrations, Figo has damaged his silence concerning the episode in an interview with Betfair. The Portuguese determined to take away iron from the matter and clarify the true context of his controversial statements of 1998.

“That music was a joke on the finish,” explains the winner of the Golden Ball in 2000. “That yr we received the League and through the season, there have been all the time many complaints and claims of Actual Madrid about the truth that we have been favored,” justifies the Portuguese finish.

For Figo, every thing is solely “an anecdote” that “occurred for historical past.” The Portuguese considers that “individuals see it in a manner that’s to get a slice, for higher or worse, however it’s nothing greater than an anecdote,” drama to the episode.

In the course of the interview with Betfair, Figo additionally addressed different points similar to his desire between the t -shirts of Madrid and Barcelona. With diplomatic magnificence, the previous participant prevented choosing one, stating that “it depends upon the minimize of the shirt” and highlighting particular designs of each golf equipment.

Time seems to have cured the wounds of the controversial transfer. Figo, now Betfair ambassador, shows a more mature perspective about those events that marked his career.