On This Day – 24th July
Luis Figo shocked the footballing world on this day back in 2000 as he signed for Real Madrid from their fierce rivals Barcelona.
The deal between the two clubs came to £38 million, becoming the highest transfer fee in world football.
Whilst Real Madrid fans across the world celebrated the coup, Barcelona fans couldn’t believe that they had lost one of their key players to their rivals.
The Barcelona fans gave Figo a very hostile reception on his first game at the Nou Camp after the move. They chanted ‘Judas’ throughout the game and threw missiles onto the pitch. Barcelona won the game 2-0 so it was n’t a happy visit back to his old stomping ground.
Luis Figo was joined over the next few years by greats such as Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham. With Raul, Roberto Carlos and Iker Casillas already at the club, an all-conquering side was assembled. They would became known as ‘The Galacticos’.
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