Figo fights for greatness

The first of four summer signings that transformed Real Madrid, Figo enjoys nothing like the profile of subsequent arrivals Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham.

Yet although Zidane was costlier (&euro68.5m to Figo's &euro55.5m), it was the Portuguese winger whose transfer so clearly reflected the shifting balance of power in Spanish and European football.

The captain and inspiration of a wildly successful Barcelona, in 2000 Figo naively entered into Madrid's internal politics to aid contract negotiations at the Camp Nou. He ended up iwearing white, Florentino Perez's first and greatest coup as Real president.

The Catalans have never forgiven him. More than two years after the switch a 'Clasico' was delayed by the sheer volume of missiles launched at Figo, including a pig's head and a whisky bottle.

Figo-mania has never taken hold outside the Iberian peninsula. Always considered a brilliant player, he has nevertheless failed to capture imaginations as effectively as Zidane.

At 31, he has already been earmarked for the scrap heap. Beckham's arrival was considered by many to be the beginning of the end for the Madrid number ten, but Figo responded with a wonderful campaign in which he comprehensively outshone his fellow galacticos.

Full of skill and guile despite his diminishing speed, Figo has arguably defied the march of time more effectively than Zidane, a player three months his senior.

Few players can be considered true greats until they have tasted success at international level, and Portugal's failure to realise their enormous potential has undoubtedly hurt Figo's legacy.

Euro 2004 represents a last chance for him to emerge fully from the shadows and secure the recognition his supreme talent so richly deserves. When he leads his country out at the Estadio Dragao against Greece, Luis Figo will be fighting not only for Portugal, but also for his own place in the pantheon of footballing greats.