The Real star

Real de Madrid Portuguese Luis Figo holds the gold ball before a League match between Real Madrid and Oviedo in Barnabeu stadium in Madrid 14 january 2001.

With more than 100 international caps to his name Luis Figo, the 2000 European player of the year and 2001 world player of the year, is the jewel in Portuguese football's crown.

Impartial fans were left to regret an ankle injury that blighted his 2002 World Cup, with Figo a shadow of his usual self Portugal crashed out of the tournament in the first round.

His move from the Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000 caused a sensation.

Portuguese international soccer player Luis Figo poses with his jersey during his official presentation as Real Madrid's new signing 24 July, 2000. Figo officially signed for Real Madrid for 10 billion pesetas (56 million dollars), making him the world's most expensive footballer. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

Figo had been the captain of the Catalan side and his then world record transfer dealt them a blow they have yet to recover from.

Figo conversely, has gone from strenghth to strength, winning his European and world footballer of the year awards.

The following season questions were raised when Zinedine Zidane arrived at Real, with some observers wondering how two would survive in the same team.

The entire process was repeated with the arrival of David Beckham from England in July 2003. Figo's skill though saw him keep his place on Real's right and continue to shine, albeit as just one star in Real's galactic firmament.

Last chance

Figo's triumphs with the Portuguese Under-20 side include winning the world championship in 1989 and 1991, when he called the tune to a new and exciting generation of players.

Portuguese forward Luis Figo chases the ball during the Euro-2000 semifinal match between Portugal and France at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, 28 June 2000.

The core of that team went on to feature in the sides that made the quarter-finals of Euro 96 and suffered a bitter and narrow defeat to France in the semi-finals at Euro 2000.

US forward Landon Donovan (R) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Portugal in their Group D match at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan in Suwon, 05 June 2002, as Portugal's Luis Figo (L) reacts. The shot by Donavan, deflected off Portugues defender Jorge Costa, was later ruled an own goal. The USA are leading 3-2 in the second half. AFP PHOTO/Jacques DEMARTHON

As host of Euro 2004 Portugal and Figo will be dead set on going out with a bang on home soil, as he has sworn to retire from international football after the tournament.

The World Cup has been a fallow field for Figo. Portugal choking at Japan-Korea 2002 and failing to make either the 1994 or 1998 World Cups in the United States and France respectively.

Tough tackling Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari however had no hesitation in confirming his faith in Figo, who continues to captain the national side.

Cruyff discovery

Real Madrid Portuguese Luis Figo (L) vies with Barcelona's Luis Enrique (R) in a First Division match 03 March 2001 at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.

Former Dutch star and Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff was the first to realise the Portuguse's potential when he purchased him from Sporting Lisbon in 1995.

With Barcelona he won a European Cup Winners' Cup, a European Supercup, three Spanish titles and two Spanish cups.

Luis Figo (L) of Real Madrid fights for the ball with Ilic of Anderlecht during their Champion's League match 26 September 2001, in Madrid. AFPPHOTO/MARC ALEX

The magic accompanied him across the country when he moved to Madrid and a partnership with Raul soon started to produce real dividends.

With Madrid Figo has won the 2002 Champions League and the 2001 and 2003 Spanish league titles.

A modest man in his private life, Figo enjoys painting and pursues his hobby of collecting watches with passion. He is married to Swedish model Hellen Svelin, with whom he has two sons.