As for Figo, I don't think just because he dared for more means he lacks class. he's always looked like a gentleman to me!

Blasphemy! Where's dst when you need him! He didn't, and I'm sure of it. Partly because of his personality and cool mindedness, and partly because he's a defender, they don't get so hot-headed. At least that's the way I've seen in all Paolo matches and videos, he's shown complete class.

Paolo dared for more, and he never lacked class. But anyway, you like Giggs and I respect that. He is after all a very good player. And gentleman as you put him. I'd however not look forward to playing against him in a football match. Hehe.

Could you give an example of the anger, zd?

Come on don't be biased. I have followed less than half of Maldini's career and I have seen his anger a few times! you mean he has never reacted angrily to a player in his 23 year old career?

25. Anyway, maybe he did. But I didn't see any arrogance in him. Even when he was yellow carded he hung his head in shame. Never intentionally fowled anyone, and certainly not headbutted anyone or grabbed someone by the neck. Come to think of it, I can wager my house that he didn't badmouth other players just for the sake of it. Anger is a natural reaction, particularly at the rate the athlete's heart is beating per minute. Literally twice as much.

If you guys are so desperate for proof, I will bring one. [no headbutts of course.. just pushing another player angrily or something like that - lightweight!]

in fact it is abnormal not to

(Related comment -- I have spent time lurking on some Italian calcio boards. While the zebra fans generally dislike things rossoneri - which isn't a surprise - the one thing they do respect completely is Il Capitano. There were even happy birthday Paolo posts by guys who have del piero icons.)

I have seen it, and it is NO BIG DEAL. what's the matter with you guys?

If you guys are so desperate for proof, I will bring one. [no headbutts of course.. just pushing another player angrily or something like that - lightweight!]

(Related comment -- I have spent time lurking on some Italian calcio boards. While the zebra fans generally dislike things rossoneri - which isn't a surprise - the one thing they do respect completely is Il Capitano. There were even happy birthday Paolo posts by guys who have del piero icons.)

I don't think there's anything at all desperate in asking someone for proof to back up a statement they make regarding something they've seen. I think it's fair.

Offtopic alert: Well, you're lethally close to the 5,000 post mark Ten. Congrats in advance.

Yes ... So make it worthwhile

He should have been more careful ... But if, of all people, Carlo gives a reaction like that, it must have been something very harsh that was being thrown at him

When has her posts ever been less?

Cuz u dont want to get a dead fish in the mail .. (which in her case means I sleep in the piranha tank )

Ancelotti is a...role-model for many young lads, should have been more careful.

When has her posts ever been less? She, with guys like you, Porty, Nova (for the videos), and a whole lot of other members I'm forgetting (you know who you are) are the lifeline of this place. Seriously. I've been to other Milan forums, and they seem like ghost houses compared to this.

I was merely joking there

Cuz u dont want to get a dead fish in the mail .. (which in her case means I sleep in the piranha tank )

Somehow, I can't quite picture young players aspiring to be like Ancelotti.

Zidane left Juve for Madrid ... Does that necessarily mean its for the money ?!

Ronaldo left inter for Madrid, does that mean he left for money ?!

Both Barca and inter pay BIG ... It's just that Madrid is a bigger club.

The fish doll hasn't sent you to the piranha tank for quite a while, R7. It's about time you take a dip. Acid, perhaps Pola would like to play guard for a little while?

People like maldini and others who stay with their clubs have found the perfect setting for them so they dont see money as a big factor of movement. Thats why right now kaka doesnt move to chelsea or madrid because his wife is happy, hes happy, hes getting paid well and over all he enjoys where he lives. Is kaka a money whore? absolutely. He wouldn't be getting paid 9m if he wasnt.

You don't get it. You just don't go to your club's greatest rival... not when you're an idol for your club's fans. I don't judge a player if he leaves his club because another one offers him more money. Those guys are professionals, they don't just play because they enjoyed it, it's also their job, where they make their money from. If I had an offer that would see me earn more and the conditions were good I'd take it too... but in football there are other factors as well. Figo surely had more choices but he left for Real cause they offered more than anyone else... well you just don't do that! He's a money-whore and a traitor. He's as class as a brick.

Well yeah maybe...but the feeling of Barca towards Real, is in some ways even harsher than the feelings between the Milanese clubs. There are political ideologies at clash here too, besides the whole Catalonia vs Castille thing.

So in a way, the Barca fans felt betrayed more than we did with Sheva. What if Sheva had left to Juve instead of a club from a different country.

Similarly I doubt the Barca fans would have been as pissed, if he'd moved onto say Milan intead of Real. He went to Real supposedly coz of the money, since that seemed to him to be the only problem he had with playing in Barca. Not, anything else. Since almost always, at the start of a season Real and Barca always seem equals.

What is it about money ?! ... He was on a HUGE contract with Barca .. How would moving to Madrid increase his wages significantly ?

The ONLY outburst that came out of the Barca fans was that he was a traitor because he choose Madrid.

But anyone with 2 braincells could see that he took a step higher, he didn't waste his time in a club like Barca .. A player of his abilities wanted the CL, the La Liga and Madrid could offer to him and as history shows, he won them.


I can't believe this is snowballing into me defending a merda player.

France Football: Frankly, no one was expecting you to leave Barcelona.

Luis Figo: This has surprised a lot of people and it’s quite logical…

France Football: Why did you leave?

Luis Figo: The principal reason is that I had received propositions which offered me better and more advantageous conditions than those I had in Barcelona, and moreover, these clubs were ready to pay my transfer clause-out. I have naturally informed the Barça’s president of that time of these offers and he answered me that he would not change my situation. From there, I took the decision that I had to take.

France Football: Is it only for an economical reason that you have left?

Luis Figo: No, not only…well, yes, at the beginning of the issue, with the valorization of my contract. It is normal; I had spent 5 years at Barça. So, if I am loved the way they pretend it, if they want me, then they need to prove it. Other clubs wanted me for my footballer qualities and for what I represented. And I stayed in Barcelona for 5 years while always giving all I could, doing always the maximum to help my team. I believed, at least at the beginning, that those people would be demonstrating that they wanted me and were ready to do the necessary efforts to keep me. That’s is why I have immediately communicated with the Barça management telling them: “there’s this, that and this…” I wished only one thing: that we talk and find an agreement. But they did not tell me anything and did not wanted to start the smallest dialogue and I have logically opted for another solution. After, the affair has simply followed its path, and if I am here today, it is for other reasons than those purely economic.

France Football: You perfectly knew what you were exposing yourself at, by signing for Real Madrid?

Luis Figo: Yes, I did not ignore that this decision would cause a few shocking waves. I perfectly knew what would result out this, but I’ve always been ready to face it and assume my responsibilities and their consequences. Now, I have to remind that as early as early as last season, when Barça was eliminated by Valencia in Champions League, I informed the necessary people (Barça management). I absolutely did not hide anything about this matter, from the beginning to the end of this issue. I have always been clear, even crystal clear. So, if they did not want to fix this matter, if they did not judge it necessary to revalorize my contract and my conditions as I was hoping and requesting, I have nothing to be blamed for. I am totally assuming my choices and everyone must assume their share of responsibilities.

France Football: Did you want to stay in Barcelona?

Luis Figo: I did not have any reason to leave and change club! I have only examined the situation as it was being really presented to me. In those conditions, I have to think of my family and me. However, this is not the reason why I ended up in Real. Once again, it is the lack of dialogue that has generated everything, and has accelerated the rhythm of the events.

What don't I get ? I understand the electrifying duel between Madrid and Barca .. But to me its more like there are two clubs on top of the footballing pyramid: Milan & Madrid.

And any player dreams of playing for either.

The situation where money is involved would be more like Shevchenko leaving Milan for Chelsea.

At Barca, Figo was one of the highest earners, he was loved by the fans yes, because that was his time to shine !! But, when a choice comes for him to move to either Milan or Madrid, I think there is something that motivates him (as it would any player) more than money.

A recent example is Ronaldinho, who choose Milan over Chelsea and then City (i.e. BIG $$$).


So again tell me what I don't get, because in my book he choose to play for one of the top two clubs in European football.

What is it about money ?! ... He was on a HUGE contract with Barca .. How would moving to Madrid increase his wages significantly ?

The ONLY outburst that came out of the Barca fans was that he was a traitor because he choose Madrid.

But anyone with 2 braincells could see that he took a step higher, he didn't waste his time in a club like Barca .. A player of his abilities wanted the CL, the La Liga and Madrid could offer to him and as history shows, he won them.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on this one, R7. I don't think Figo's move to Madrid - from being captain of Barca - can be justified. It wasn't right. If he'd wanted to move to a bigger club than Barca, there were other options (Milan, Zebras, etc) that wouldn't have been viewed as a betrayal.

(Madrid didn't win too much with the Galacticos, did they?)

(Madrid didn't win too much with the Galacticos, did they?)

They did alright. CL, Super Cup, La Liga, intercontinental... what more could they win?