Figo on Messi: “For me, I think it’s impossible we’ll see anything similar to what happened with me 20 years ago”

Real Madrid legend Luis Figo was speaking at a Champions League press event ahead of the Champions League Final in Lisbon on Sunday. One of the questions asked to Figo was about the possibility of Lionel Messi making a similar move to Madrid as he did.

“It’ll be impossible for any club to pay up Messi’s release clause this year. There’s not much movement in the transfer market at the moment. I think it’s very difficult or even impossible for any club to be able pay Messi’s contract.”

“For me, I think it’s impossible we’ll see anything similar to what happened with me 20 years ago.”

It’s safe to say that Messi moving to Real Madrid is virtually impossible, especially this late in his career and the money he would still command. It’s even unlikely we see him wear the shirt of another European club.

Even with Barcelona going through a troublesome period this season, it seems highly unlikely Messi leaves. It’s more wishful thinking for many that the club lose its icon.

The hatred towards Figo was legendary when he moved from Barcelona to Real in 2000. Everyone knows about the pig head incident at the Camp Nou during El Clásico in 2002. One can only imagine what the reaction would be like if Messi ever made the same move.

Real Madrid loses out to Bayern in UEFA five-year club rankings

UEFA.com recently updated its annual five-year club rankings. Real Madrid were replaced by Bayern Munich at the top of the ranking list.

Real Madrid were the top-ranked club on UEFA’s five-year list last season. This year, they ranked 20th in the coefficient standings while Bayern placed first. This leads to Real now finishing second in the updated rankings for this year.

Both clubs are equaled at 134 points, but Bayern apparently win out because of this year’s rankings. Real Madrid remain atop the ten-year list, while Bayern are third behind Barcelona.

Spain also maintained its top UEFA ranking for both the individual country season and total club coefficient standings.