Luis Figo has reiterated his belief that Florentino Perez was responsible for his exit from Real Madrid, as he also comments ‘Cristiano could win the Ballon d’Or’.
The retired winger recently stated his belief that club President Perez was responsible for seeing him first dropped from the Real Madrid team and then forced to choose between seeing out the final year of his contract on the bench or moving on in 2005.
Figo was asked this week at a publicity event to reiterate this and consider if it had also occurred with other players.
“I spoke about that and it has passed. I have moved on from that page,” began the 41-year-old in response.
“It is what I believed and what was. We must look to the future and there is no turning back.
“On the other, I cannot talk because it is not my life. I say what I feel and what I know. I will not enter into other things.
“Would Florentino be influencing team selection now? I do not know, I’m part of the past. I’m talking about me, my experience and what I have gone through.
“I respect him as President of my club and I wish him well. Everyone will know what he has done, what he does and what he says. I am responsible for my statements and my actions.”
Figo was asked for his view on the upcoming Ballon d’Or awards, for which voting has begun.
“There will always be a debate on who will win the Ballon d’Or. I do not know what the values are that determine the vote. I had the pleasure of being able to win. But it is always very subjective. I
“t is hard to say if it is Cristiano, it is Messi or it is Ribery because he has won everything. It is not for me to vote, so I do not have that problem.
“Cristiano? I believe he can always win the Ballon d’Or for his quality, his importance and for the performance that he gives in every game.
“But it is not me who decides. My opinion is a minority in relation to what they may decide. If you ask me if I think he can win, of course, always, every year.”
