Luis Figo exclusive: Real Madrid legend on 'amazing' Jude Bellingham, almost joining Liverpool & his UEFA Champions League memories as he goes undercover in Spanish capital

Figo's five years in Madrid were certainly not short on success. The Portugal international helped Los Blancos to their ninth European crown in 2002, eventually leaving the Spanish capital with two league titles, two Copas del Rey, two Supercopas de Espana and, of course, the 2000 Ballon d'Or under his belt. He brought unbridled joy to so many fans in Madrid, but Figo is yet to experience the city through their lens - until now.

With the city buzzing heading into Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg clash against Leipzig, he admits the feeling is a unique one. "It’s always interesting to see it from the fans’ point of view because normally you don’t have the chance," he tells GOAL. "For someone who lives in the city, it’s easier to understand and to know the culture and the habits of the fans here. But I [still] think it’s very nice to see it from another point of view.”

Asked if this is his first time undercover in Madrid, where he has called home since retiring in 2009, Figo sees the funny side. "No," he laughs, "it’s the first time in these places. For me it is new. To discover these places is sometimes not easy. Of course, [as] it’s crowded these days it is difficult to see [them]. So it was nice.”

Across a glittering career Figo played in some of the finest cities in Europe. Starting in Lisbon with Sporting CP's academy he moved to Barcelona as a 22-year-old. He then made that infamous switch to Madrid five years later before finishing his career in Milan with Inter.

So, then, having had a taste of several European landmarks, why choose to retire in Madrid? For Figo the decision was simple. "I like Madrid a lot," he says. "I’ve lived here for almost 20 years. I decided to come back because I was building my house when I left, it was a family decision. I’m very happy with the way the people receive me, and the city too.”

After a combined 20 years in Spain's capital, Figo is somewhat of an expert on what to do - either as a travelling fan or a curious tourist. "I think Madrid as a capital city is special for all the offerings and environment it has," he tells GOAL. "Of course, sports are one of the biggest event days in the city, but for those who aren’t just focused on football they have a lot of other options. Right now, there is the opening of the ARCO [2024] art fair. You always have a lot of options with restaurants, music, things to see."

However, Madrid is also tailor-made for the football fanatic, as Figo explains: "For football fans, I would recommend the Legends Museum which they opened a few months ago. It’s in the city centre, close to the Plaza del Sol, and is all about the history of football. Madrid is one of the most visited [places] for museums, [whether] you like art, football – it has whatever’s good!”

You don't rack up almost 800 career appearances, playing across a combined five World Cups and European Championships, without having a feel for travel. And it is clear when talking to GOAL that this aspect is still prominent in Figo's life, even if a lot of it is work-induced. "I travel a lot, almost every ten days. Recently I was in London, Paris, Prague, all these nice cities with a different atmosphere and culture. But if it’s in free time, that’s better than work!” he jokes.

When he does get some time off, though, Figo is knowledgeable on how to escape the hustle and bustle of Madrid, reeling off countless locations a stones throw away from the city. "You have a lot of nice cities around, like Avila, Segovia, Toledo, in the mountains for skiing," he notes. "You have plenty of places you can visit at the weekend when you’re not working, and to get away from the cosmopolitan city. You have the countryside too, not far from here, one hour more or less."

And outside of Spain? Figo eyes a return to Italy - but slightly further south from where he used to call home. "I would like to do a tour in Tuscany," he explains. "I like Italy, I think it’s a nice place to visit, to eat, and [has good] sights.”

As a player, travelling for Figo was mostly associated with UEFA Champions League nights, jetting out to European cities far and wide to feature in Europe's premier competition. The Portuguese has therefore compiled his fair share of iconic stadiums - none more so than the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Camp Nou or Stadio San Siro he used to call home.

But from the stadiums he's played in, Figo ignores those three and reveals a surprising favourite, taking GOAL back to Barcelona's UEFA Champions League group-stage match away to Arsenal in October 1999. "I had the chance to play in the stadiums of the big teams in Europe, so I’m familiar," he says. "Maybe the old Wembley Stadium [is the most impressive]. I played once in a charity game in the new one, but maybe the old one because of the history of the stadium."

The 'new' Wembley Stadium will host this year's UEFA Champions League final, with usual suspects Real Madrid still in the mix for an incredible 15th European crown. Figo backs his former side to go all the way but admits it's too close to call, especially after drawing Man City in the quarter-finals. "We are heading for a round with all the big ‘sharks’, so I think they will be very nice games to watch," he tells GOAL. "For sure there will be two big clubs in the final that will fight for the cup. It’s difficult to say [who will be in the final] because Real Madrid have a big history, Man City are strong. Surprises can always happen, like Inter being in the final last year. We have to wait a bit, but for sure there are a lot of big games coming.”

While Real Madrid eye a staggering 15th European crown, Figo has already played his part in the capital club's incredible history on the continent. The Portuguese started in the 2002 final in Hampden Park as Real Madrid defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 courtesy of an iconic Zinedine Zidane volley, landing their ninth European trophy at the time.

Having grown up enamoured with football and watching that competition from an early age, Figo tells GOAL that getting his hands on the coveted trophy meant everything. "It was a dream come true," he says. "When I started playing football it was called the European Cup, and when I was a kid I always watched it on TV and followed the big names. I always dreamed of one day having the chance to win in the final. In the end, when you get it, it’s like a dream come true.”

That win came thanks to a stunning effort from Zidane, which saw the legendary French midfielder rifle home a volley with his left foot following a looped cross from Roberto Carlos. No stranger to scoring in the UEFA Champions League himself, even Figo admits that goal is one he will never forget. "It was memorable, you know," he adds. "You can score this [type of] goal once in your life, but doing it in the final of the UEFA Champions League, the meaning is triple. It was perfect.”

Zidane's famous No.5 shirt at Real Madrid was inherited by Jude Bellingham in the summer, who arrived amid much fanfare following his £108m ($133m) transfer from Dortmund. But despite the hefty price tag and added pressure of playing for the European giants, the England international has barely looked back. Bellingham has cemented his places as one of the top players in Real Madrid's squad - and arguably the world - with his incredible performances this term.

Such form has seen him draw some high praise - not least from Zidane himself - and Figo admits that he has been surprised by Bellingham's scintillating start to life in Spain. He tells GOAL: "His performances and ability to adapt, [I’ve been] very surprised, because he’s adapted so fast. I’m not surprised about his quality because I already knew [that] from Dortmund and England. But to perform at a big club like Real Madrid is totally different, because of adapting to the pressure."

"You always have pressure at the highest level because you have to perform - even more so when you cost so much," Figo adds knowingly, himself becoming the most expensive player of his time with a £54m ($69m) transfer to Real Madrid in 2000. "But I think he is showing so much maturity because he’s so young and he’s doing fantastic. So in that sense, he’s doing amazing. Compliments to him!”

Bellingham could soon be joined by Kylian Mbappe as Real Madrid look to build their next generation of Galacticos. And even with a side already boasting the offensive firepower of Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, Figo thinks the Frenchman's transfer is absolutely necessary. "Everyone needs a player like Mbappe!" he laughs. "Everyone wants to have a player like Mbappe because he decides games. I think he’s the best [in the world] in terms of his skills and quality."

With the original Galacticos era in full swing - thanks in part to his transfer back in 2000 - Figo eventually left the Santiago Bernabeu when his contract expired in 2005. Aged 32 and keen to try a new adventure in a different country, a number of opportunities presented themselves.

One of them, interestingly, was Liverpool, who had just been crowned champions of Europe after their famous night in Istanbul. And Figo reveals to GOAL that a transfer to Anfield could have materialised had they not stalled for so long. "Yes, it was a possibility at that time," he says. "It was close, I was negotiating with Rafa [Benitez], but in the end it didn’t happen for different reasons. Liverpool at the time were struggling and not making a decision on whether to sign me, so I decided not to go there.”

He adds with a laugh: "I don’t know [what they were waiting for], but every week they were like ‘We’re waiting to do this’ and then they sign one player, ‘We’re waiting’ and then they sign another. So I said ‘Come on, this cannot happen, I cannot wait too long’.”

Eventually, Figo chose Milan as his next destination and signed for Inter as a free agent in August 2005. After winning four Serie A titles in as many years, alongside several domestic cups, he feels he made the right choice. "I decided [to go with] what was more secure and sure in that moment, which was after I had a meeting with Massimo Moratti [then-Inter owner]. For me it was the best decision to play for Inter," he explains. "I’m very grateful for the love the supporters gave me in an important period of my career. I felt very loved and cared [for] there. For me they were four amazing years."