Figo: “We’re Living a Dream”
(Goal.com) - Luís Figo was naturally proud of the fact that he’s captained Portugal into the Lusitanian nation’s second semi-final after a long interval of forty years. "I feel incredibly proud to form part of this team," explained the Inter Milan man to Sport TV, adding a typical touch of ‘saudade’ (longing) for his homeland.
"I’m far away from my homeland, and I’m not the only one who’d like to be celebrating back home with the rest of the Portuguese nation. What we’d like to see is everybody back in Portugal enjoying this unique moment to the max," he said.
Figo clocked up 125 caps with Portugal in the England game that saw ‘revenge’ for the 1966 semi-final elimination by England forty years ago.
Figo didn’t play the whole game, being taken off exhausted and slightly injured for Hélder Postiga in the 86th minute, but still hopes that he’ll be able to recover in time for a semi-final that any player would give their right arm to play. "I hope to be able to play on Wednesday. I pulled my left hamstring slightly, but there’s still hope,” added Portugal's number 7.
"We played an intelligent game against England. Both our nations know each other’s football pretty well, and there’s no doubt that having an extra man made a difference, as well as our humble work on the pitch. In the final reckoning we were the better team on the pitch, and it really helps to have a keeper like Ricardo on your side," added Figo about the Gelsenkirchen quarter-final.
"Me holding the World Cup?” exclaimed a smiling Figo when asked if he thought that Portugal could go all the way. “That would really be a motive for a huge celebration; the perfect end to the dream that we’re living," said the usually taciturn Figo, carried away by the euphoria of being on the verge of making history. Two games and there could well be a statue at the top of Avenida Liberdade in his honour.
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Comments
figo can now hold an effigy of the coveted gold cup....ha...ha if wishes were horses then beggars would surely ride!
Posted by: johnstone tuks | July 6, 2006 08:16 AM
I would just like to let the Portugal Team to know that I myself I am very proud of all of them...Even though it was hard to know that France won over a stupid penalty kick call by that awful referee I feel they have played their ultimate best...I will be watching @ the edge of my seat on Saturday when Portugal plays against Germany....I love you guys and I am vey proud to be Portuguese and to see how well you all have played....Best Wishes to all of our Portugal Players.....forget about France they won as they got lucky on that penalty kick bad call otherwise i know we would have won that game as well....God Bless you all ......Bejos ole,ole ole....is what i am going to be signing on Saturday....
Posted by: Maria Raposo-DaSilva | July 6, 2006 06:34 PM
I agree that Portugal had bad luck with the French if it was'nt that penalty kick (robbed) we would have won them and the whole world wood have been happy........
Boa sorte Portugal no Sabado
Posted by: Anonymous | July 7, 2006 09:09 AM
I think that the italian team is really cool man and my friend thinks that the german captain is FOINE!
Posted by: Phyllicia | July 7, 2006 12:44 PM
i am proud of the portugal team for reaching this far.Personally i think that they should be playing in the finals match.They showed the most potiental and promise aside from italy i strongly believe that they should be there
Posted by: shiphrah | July 7, 2006 12:52 PM
And I was just wonedrnig about that too!
Posted by: Kaleigh | January 7, 2012 06:16 PM