😍 2022-08-30 16:00:38 – Paris/France.
In football, as in life itself, there are decisions that do not go unnoticed because of the consequences they entail over time, as happened in Louis Figowho is now the protagonist of a new documentary by Netflix in which the subject of his controversial exit from the Barcelona and subsequent signature by the Real Madrid In 2000.
Directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, the film is called 'The Figo affair: the signing of the century', where they essentially tell the story of one of the most controversial transfers in Spanish football with testimonies from its protagonists : Florentino Pérez (president of Real Madrid), José Veiga (agent), among others.
Signed by Barcelona in 1995, Figo lived up to the expectations placed on him in the 'Azulgrana' team, quickly becoming a star for the club, where he scored 49 goals and provided 80 assists in 249 games. The Portuguese have also won two local championships, two Copas del Rey, a European Cup Winners' Cup and a European Super Cup.
His bond with Barcelona was so great that he became the team's second captain, behind Josep Guardiola. However, Figo's stay would take a 180 degree turn five years later when a youngster Florentino Pérez promised he would sign him for Real Madrid if he won the presidential elections.
Luis Figo has added to his record as a Barcelona player (Photo: Getty Images).
The intrahistory of the signing of Figo by Real Madrid
According to the documentary about the operation that revolutionized the world of football.
In the 104-minute tape, some of the people who experienced the signing up close give their version. Of the footballer, who made the final decision; passing through the ideologue of the signing, Florentino Pérez, former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, Guardiola - Figo's best friend in the 'Culé' team - and Jorge Valdano, among others.
However, as the Netflix documentary makes clear, it was two of Figo's compatriots -Paulo Futre and José Veiga- who became the strategists in a deal that made the Portuguese a 'persona non grata' for Camp Nou, which exploded against the footballer in his successive visits to the stadium with the white jersey.
Paulo Futre, a friend of Luis Figo's representative, was the first person contacted by then Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Pérez to show his interest in signing the Barcelona captain, who was negotiating his umpteenth contract improvement. First contact, of course, would be the key.
The former Atlético player called Veiga (Figo's agent) in Florentino's presence to explain Real Madrid's interest in his player. The representative, in disbelief, hung up the phone, although Futre claimed he was still talking to his friend until he managed to agree on a €6m commission if the transfer went through.
Figo's soap opera finally took a final turn with an appeal from the Portuguese to newly elected Barcelona president Joan Gaspart asking for a bank guarantee of '500 million pesetas' to secure his continuity at Barcelona. Some facts that the protagonist denies in the documentary. "Is a lie"ratified.
Luis Figo signed the contract with Real Madrid, who a few days later would pay the termination clause of 60 million to incorporate him. A decision that the former Barça player does not regret, as he defends in the documentary which delves into the ins and outs of a signing that meant a before and after in football.
Luis Figo during his presentation at Real Madrid, with Florentino Pérez and Di Stéfano (Photo: Marca).
'The case of Luis Figo: The signature of the century': assessment
If you're a fan of Real Madrid, Barcelona or football in general, this is a must-watch documentary on Netlflix. From 1 to 10, this film qualifies for an 8 of its kind due to the great investigative work behind the signing of Luis Figo by Real Madrid, in addition to the valuable statements that have been collected.
On the audiovisual level, 'The Figo affair: The signing of the century' is not to be outdone and shows incredible images of the best moments of the Portuguese player in the shirt of Barcelona. Likewise, the focus is on the classic rivalry between the “Azulgrana” team and Real Madrid, which further enriches this crazy documentary.
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SOURCE: Reviews News
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