Luis Figo’s decision to quit the Nou Camp for the Bernabéu fifteen years ago has not been forgotten, and certainly not forgiven by Barcelona.
The Catalan club have made a special request to Uefa to prevent the Portuguese player from representing their “legends” in the Juventus/Barcelona Legends team who play against a World All-Stars XI in the Ultimate Champions Match on Friday in Berlin.
Figo left Barcelona in 2000 after five seasons and two La Liga titles, to join Real Madrid for a then World record fee.
He would go on to win two more La Liga titles and a Champions League in 2002, but upon his return trips to the Catalan capital he was targetted by furious fans who branded him a traitor. Among the barrage of missiles and beer bottles thrown on to the pitch upon his infamous return in 2002 a pig’s head also found its way onto the pitch.
The club notified their fans of the decison on social media;
"As Uefa informs us, by request of our Club, Luis Figo will not represent Barça in the Legends match in Berlin."
The Juventus/Barcelona squad for Friday night's encounter is: Edwin van der Sar, Ciro Ferrara, Ludovic Giuly, Alessandro Del Piero, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Edmilson, Fabio Cannavaro, David Trezeguet, Mark van Bommel, Gianluca Zambrotta, Deco, Eric Abidal and Christian Vieri.