Luís Figo, now representing UEFA, will arrive at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc to attend the Champions League match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. This event has once again brought attention to the long-standing rivalry between the Portuguese footballer and the Catalan club’s supporters.
Figo’s last appearance on Barcelona’s pitch was in 2009, when he played for Inter Milan. However, his name still stirs strong emotions among local fans. The reason lies in his 2000 transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid — a move that became one of the most talked-about in Spanish football history and forever changed how Barcelona supporters viewed Figo.
Since then, the Portuguese star went from fan favorite to a symbol of betrayal for many club supporters. His first visit to the stadium as a Real Madrid player triggered widespread outrage: the stands greeted him with whistles, banners, fake banknotes featuring his image, and even a pig’s head thrown onto the pitch. These events have become part of the storied rivalry between Spain’s two football giants.
By 2025, tensions between the two sides remain high. A recent incident at the Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon and remarks by former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, who called Figo the club’s main enemy, only underscore that old grievances are not forgotten.
On the program ‘Tu Dirás’ on RAC1 radio, participants expressed the view that Figo’s appearance in the stadium stands could be seen as an insult to fans. According to them, the organizers should have made an effort to prevent such a situation. In addition, in recent years, Figo has repeatedly made sharp statements about the Catalan club, which has only fueled negative sentiment towards him among fans.
Thus, Luís Figo’s visit to the Champions League match in Barcelona once again reignited discussion of old conflicts and served as a reminder of the complicated relationship between the player and Barcelona fans.
