Currently working for UEFA, the former Portugal international spoke at an event promoting safer alcohol consumption, explicitly drinking wine in moderation.
Xavi’s arrival has brought a lot of excitement
Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Luis Figo has been talking about various footballing topics. He says he has noted an improvement in Barcelona’s play under Xavi but that it is too soon to read too much into it. Currently working for UEFA, the former Portugal international spoke at an event promoting safer alcohol consumption, explicitly drinking wine in moderation. As if it could be any other way, the conversation eventually turned to football. “There’s been an improvement in Barcelona’s play, but football is something more,” Figo said. “Xavi’s arrival has brought a lot of excitement, and we’ll see how far he can take them.” Figo also spoke about Real Madrid’s Champions League challenge against Sheriff on Wednesday, a match that allowed them to take control of the group.
Figo: ‘We have to protect the football’
“It was a tough game because Real Madrid needed to secure qualification first and then top spot in the group, which is very important,” Figo said. “Their opponent have been one of the revelations in this season’s Champions League and managed to win at the Bernabeu.” Key to Los Blancos’ chances of getting what they want from the final two group games will be Vinicius, a player who Figo believes needs greater protection from referees. “We have to protect the football; it’s not just about Vinicius or Neymar,” he said. “There are players who can make a difference, to beat their opponents in one-on-ones, but that’s what referees are there for. If defenders go out to hurt the forward, the referees are there, and they know what they have to do.”
Another player who has been a difference-maker for many years and who continues to have a big impact on his team is Cristiano Ronaldo, and Figo doesn’t understand the criticism his compatriot has been receiving. “It’s nonsense; he’s the best,” he said. “Football is about results, and Manchester United aren’t getting the results they’re expected to. Ronaldo has been one of the best performers on the team, though, so that’s why I don’t understand the criticism.”