Luis Figo has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool from Real Madrid, explaining that the Reds “took too long to decide” over the transfer.
Luis Figo’s failed Liverpool move: A quick look
• Figo revelation: Luis Figo revealed his 2005 move collapsed because Liverpool “took too long” to decide on the transfer.
• Missed chance: The legend felt “messed around” by the Reds, eventually choosing Inter Milan over Anfield after repeated delays.
One of the game’s modern greats, Figo goes down in football history for his 127 Portugal caps, 14 major trophies and being the most high-profile player to turn out for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Following five years in Catalunya, the Portuguese legend controversially joined Los Blancos in 2000 where he remained until 2005 – a period that saw him win two league titles, the Champions League, the Cup Winners’ Cup and, on an individual level, the 2000 Ballon d’Or.
At 32 years old, Figo then moved to Inter Milan and won four Serie A titles, but he could easily have found himself on Merseyside, not in Milan.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Figo recalled how he nearly joined Liverpool after they won the Champions League in 2005.
“It’s real that when I moved from Madrid to Inter, I was talking with an English Premier League club,” Figo explained.
“That time they took too long to decide and I had a meeting with Moratti (former Inter president), and that meeting I chose to go to Italy because between us there was a big feeling.
“And in the end, I did the right decision.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos, Zinadine Zidane and Luis Figo stand ready to take a free-kick against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos, Zinadine Zidane and Luis Figo stand ready to take a free-kick against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Asked for the club he was referring to, Figo replied: “At that time I was talking with Benitez. He was in Liverpool. Well, in the end, nothing happened.”
This isn’t actually the first time Figo has spoken about the failed move to Liverpool.
At the time, reports claimed Liverpool had agreed the player’s £50,000 per week salary but were still deliberating whether to pay the £2 million asking price.
Luis Figo: Career Stats by Club & Country
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Club Apps Goals Assists
Sporting CP (1989-1995) 137 16 10
Barcelona (1995-2000) 249 45 91
Real Madrid (2000-2005) 245 58 94
Inter (2005-2009) 140 11 34
Portugal (1991-2006) 127 32 44
In 2022, Figo told the Guardian: “I would have liked to go. We talked a lot.
“One week they say, ‘No, wait, we can’t do it just now’ and then they sign a player. Then, ‘wait a few more days, we need to sort this first’, and they sign another.
“I think, ‘Bloody hell, are you messing with me, or what?’.
“Inter appear, I go to Milan, meet Moratti and take the decision. I loved Inter, it was exactly what I needed.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Real Madrid's Luis Figo in action against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Real Madrid's Luis Figo in action against Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
These players Liverpool bought included Bolo Zenden, Mark Gonzalez and Peter Crouch.
This particular story of a potentially great signing going astray isn’t an unfamiliar one when looking back at this era.
The likes of Dani Alves, Gareth Bale, Juanfran and Sami Khedira were all reportedly close to signing for Liverpool, and these repeated failures in the transfer market led, in part, to Benitez’s downfall.
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