In the history of football, people have witnessed many rivalries which sooner or later faded away. But the rivalry whose legacy still sparks rage among people is the El Classico. Countless moments have shaped this legendary rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. But among all the goals, history, and glory one betrayal stands taller and stings deeper than any other.
It wasn’t just a transfer. It wasn’t just a business deal. For the people of Catalonia, it was a deeply personal matter. It was a total double cross to the heart of a club, a city, and its soul. It was a broken trust. A spit towards Johan Cruyff’s legacy, which proved no player is bigger than a club.
This is the story of Luís Figo—the biggest traitor this world has ever seen.
The Golden Era
Luis Figo joined FC Barcelona in 1995 from Sporting CP. He quickly earned the respect of Barcelona fans and became the face of the team. His elegance on the ball, razor-sharp vision, and relentless dribbling made him a fan favorite.
He wore the captain’s armband with pride. He led Barça to two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and a UEFA Super Cup. At Camp Nou, chants of “Figo! Figo!” echoed through the stands. For Barcelona, he became untouchable to other clubs and was a legend in the making.
Behind the scenes, something was brewing…
The Shocking Move
In the Summer of 2020, Real Madrid came with a new face for the presidency, Florentino Perez. Before the elections, Perez made some unimaginable promises which in the end he fulfilled.
Perez stated: “If I’m elected, I will bring Luís Figo to Madrid.”
Initially, this statement seemed like an election stunt which most politicians make before being elected. Not even the Barcelona board in a million years would’ve thought it would happen. Why would Figo leave the club where he was adored, a team he captained, especially for Barcelona’s direct rivals?
But who knew what was brewing? Perez had a plan, a plan with deep pockets. Perez offered Figo a massive signing bonus and even reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with him. If Figo backed out, he would have to pay a multi-million euro penalty. Caught in a trap of his own making.
The unimaginable became real: Figo signed for Real Madrid for €62 million, making him the world’s most expensive player at the time. Figo bit the hand that fed him. Figo became the epitome of the word “disloyal”. He was a JUDAS according to Barcelona fans.
The Well-Deserved Return to Camp Nou
This was regarded as one of the most dangerous returns in the history of football. Since the start of the match, Figo was booed, whistled, and abused whenever he touched the ball.
When Madrid won a corner in the game, the biggest mistake was letting Figo take it. As Figo walked towards the corner flag, the whole Camp Nou erupted in fury. Objects rained down including bottles, coins, and even electronics.
Then, one of the most iconic moments in football history happened:
A fan threw a severed pig’s head onto the pitch.
This gesture was symbolic to Barcelona fans, Figo wasn’t just a traitor, he was a snake.
The Actual Point
The main thing that made the wound deeper was Figo’s belief.
Just before his transfer, he announced: “I want to send a message of calm to Barcelona’s fans, for whom I always have and always will feel great affection. I want to assure them that Luís Figo will, with absolute certainty, be at the Camp Nou on the 24th to start the new season… I’ve not signed a pre-contract with a presidential candidate at Real Madrid.”
Johan Cruyff was an important figure in Barcelona’s history. He was the one who brought Figo to Barcelona. Cruyff was known to bring players who trust the system. To see what Figo did was beyond imaginable.