I have nothing to prove: Figo

Portuguese star Luis Figo, controversially substituted in the quarter-final win over England, said he had "nothing to prove" ahead of Wednesday's semi-final here against Holland.

Portuguese star Luis Figo, controversially substituted in the quarter-final win over England, said he had "nothing to prove" ahead of Wednesday's semi-final here against Holland.

The 31-year-old was clearly upset after coach Luiz Felipe Scolari hauled him off after 75 minutes of the England game last Thursday and he sat alone in the dressing room as his side rallied to win on penalties.

"It was hard because I was not on the pitch, but it was good to reach our objective to get to the semi-final.

"I have nothing to prove, the people know me well," Figo told reporters at Portugal's base in Alcochete south of Lisbon.

"I just have to give my best in the next game. It's all I can do," added the Real Madrid star.

Pressed on reports that Dutch coach Dick Advocaat had opined he wouldn't mind facing the hosts with Figo left out altogether and asked to reflect on the possibility Scolari could freeze him out, Figo gave a wry smile, before adding: "I think you would have to talk to my coach!"

Asked why he walked ostentatiously around the pitch after being withdrawn from the fray before heading to the dressing room without stopping to acknowledge his coach, Figo was equally brusque.

"I left the pitch because my coach took me off," he said laconically.

With fellow Real galacticos David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane having flopped in the quarters - and Raul bowing out in the first round without scoring a goal - Figo was at pains to say he felt fighting fit, despite a mammoth and disappointing season in La Liga.

With fellow Real Madrid galacticos David Beckham (pictured) and Zinedine Zidane having flopped in the quarters - and Raul bowing out without scoring a goal - Luis Figo was at pains to say he felt fighting fit, despite a mammoth season in La Liga.

Beckham said on returning home that he believed Real players were short on conditioning, something the club president Florentino Perez hotly denied.

Figo sided with his president over the issue.

"I don't agree with David on that point. There are so many games during the week it's difficult to do more (fitness training)," said the veteran, the figuehead of Portugal's golden generation which carried all before it at youth level and now wants to land their nation's first senior triumph.

Figo did, however, readily admit to some tiredness in the limbs, telling reporters that "I think physically at this moment I'm not the same as at the beginning of the season."

Pressed on whether this could be his last international tournament, Figo held out the hope of carrying on beyond 2004.

"It's one more chance. It's not the last one," he insisted, the comment suggesting he sees the 2006 World Cup as his likely swansong rather than this week.

"My way of thinking has always been to serve my country and as long as I can do that I'll be here," Figo insisted.

"We know the importance of Wednesday's game to the country. We must show passion."