Figo Clarifies Relationship with Ronaldo at Euro 2004

Luis Figo, the Portuguese football legend, recently corrected a podcast host who suggested he was the more experienced player mentoring Cristiano Ronaldo during Euro 2004. Figo pointed out that at the time, he was nearing the end of his career while Ronaldo was an emerging talent just beginning his international journey.

The Exchange on The Obi One Podcast

The clarification came during an appearance on The Obi One Podcast, where the host inquired about Figo’s experience playing alongside a young Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2004 European Championship. Figo responded emphatically, stating, “No. He played with me. He was starting and I was finishing [my career].”

Recognizing Ronaldo’s Early Talent

Despite the correction, Figo readily acknowledged Ronaldo’s exceptional talent even at the age of 18. He highlighted Ronaldo’s technical skill, speed, and ability to play with both feet. “You could see that he was an amazing talent and with the qualities he had in that time, he was 18… because he had technique. He was very fast and he could play [with] both legs, and he could jump,” Figo explained.

Euro 2004: A Turning Point

At Euro 2004, hosted in Portugal, Ronaldo was breaking into the national team, while Figo captained the side and was a celebrated midfielder. The tournament saw Portugal reach the final, ultimately losing to Greece, a moment that marked the beginning of Ronaldo’s rise to international stardom.

Mutual Respect and Admiration

Figo was keen to dispel any notion of rivalry or jealousy regarding Ronaldo’s achievements. He expressed his deep admiration for Ronaldo, stating, “I have the biggest admiration for him because I believe he’s an example. He’s a person who took the Portugal name everywhere and the records, the hunger that he have to always be better and win, be competitive.”

Figo’s comments underscore the respect between two generations of Portuguese football icons. While Figo led the team during Euro 2004, Ronaldo later became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and captained the team to victory in the 2016 European Championship.