Luis Figo, a member of the Laureus Academy, sat down with MARCA to take stock of a soccer season that is already drawing to a close and which, in Real Madrid terms, has not been a good one. “The reality is that it is a bad season. For Madrid, if you don't win, it's always a negative season. When titles are missing, it’s because things weren’t working,” he explained.
In the Champions League, my favorites are PSG and Bayern, they are two very strong teams
Luis Figo
One of the most important moments of the season was the change of coach. To go from Xabi to Arbeloa after only a few months of work by the Tolosa-born coach: "I don't think he has had time. We haven't even had time to make an analysis of the months he has been here. It’s very complicated,” he reflected.
Favorites for the Champions League
With the Champions League semi-final line-up already defined, the former footballer is clear about his two favourites: "For what they have shown, my favourites are PSG and Bayern. They are two very strong teams. I like their way of playing football, but anything can happen. We are at the best moment of the Champions League and the teams that are there have deserved it.”
Portugal is not among the favorites due to history, but because of quality it is
Luis Figo
World Cup year
This year all eyes are on the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, a tournament in which Portugal will once again be present. "The fact that we are in a World Cup is an opportunity for all teams. Portugal is not on the front line of favorites because of history, but because of quality it is. There is France, which has a lot of variety of options; Spain; Brazil; Argentina, although it is not one of the favorites this year; England also has a good team… Among those are the most favorites,” he explained.
Lamine is an incredible talent
Luis Figo
Among the emerging figures who are already a reality, Figo is also full of praise for the quality ofLamine Yamal: “It’s incredible. He's an incredible talent. I hope he continues to grow as a player and has an incredible career.”
