Figo never wanted to leave Barcelona

Inter Milan star Luis Figo has revealed he never wanted to leave Barcelona.

The Portuguese star claims he wanted to stay at Barcelona rather than move to their rivals Real Madrid.

Figo became one of the most hated men in Catalonia following his move to Real Madrid.

“I didn’t lie when I said that I wanted to stay with Barcelona. I wanted to remain there and the president also knew that,” he declared.

“My only mistake back then was to say in an interview that I would not go.”

He added: “When I retire I will visit Barcelona again. They may not ask me for autographs, but I will will return. I continue to have a lot of respect for the fans, I have a Catalan daughter and I knew my partner there…For, it is an important place, and I am proud to have played there. They were five good years of my life.”

[Source: El Pais]