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Figo welcomes Zidane signing
MADRID (Reuters) -- European player of the Year Luis Figo believes that Real Madrid's world record US$66.05 million signing of Zinedine Zidane shows their determination to carry all before them in the club's centenary year in 2002. "Zidane is the best signing Real could make," Figo told sports daily Marca. "He is the sort of player that the club ought to be signing, a player that can dominate a game and who makes a crucial difference in big games. "It is going to be a pleasure to play alongside him and it is certain that Zidane is going to make this team even better than it was. "He will help us form a really great team in a year that is very important for Real Madrid and its fans, the year of its centenary." The arrival of World Player of the Year Zidane means that, with Figo, the eight-time European champions can now boast of having two of the most complete footballers in the game. It also creates a midfield combination that should, in theory, be the most powerful in world football.
Centenary seasonFor Real, the Champions League will be the undoubted priority next season. To win a ninth European Cup at Hampden Park would be an achievement loaded with historical and emotional significance. It was at the Glasgow stadium in 1960 that Real enjoyed perhaps their most glorious moment -- winning a fifth successive European Cup in what some view as the greatest game ever. A rampant Real produced a sublime exhibition of attacking football in a 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, with Hungarian Ferenc Puskas scoring four times and Alfredo Di Stefano notching a hat trick. President Florentino Perez has set his heart on reliving the glory days when Real were the unchallenged kings of the old continent. "FIFA awarded us the title of the best club of the 20th century and us such we have to make sure we have the best players in the world," he said at Zidane's presentation on Monday.
Universal appeal"The universal appeal of Real Madrid matches perfectly the universal appeal of Zidane. With him, Real will shine even more brightly. "We are constructing a fantastic team that will provide great entertainment for the fans and will be the perfect way to celebrate out centenary." More worrying for Real's rivals in Europe is that the club have said Zidane's signing will not be the last for the coming season. Real want Valencia's inspirational midfielder Gaizka Mendieta and the sporting press have reported that Inter Milan's Argentine international defender Javier Zanetti is another target. There is little doubt though that Real will also have to unload some of their squad if they are to even start balancing the books.
Midfield overbookingCameroon defender Geremi Njitap has been linked with Chelsea, and the future of Brazil's Flavio Conceicao must be in doubt given the overbooking in the midfield. England's Steve McManaman will also have to relive last season's speculation about his future at the club, although once more he has vowed to stay and fight it out for his place. The contrast with Barcelona's transfer policy could not be sharper. The Catalan club are banking on a host of highly-rated youngsters to challenge for domestic and European success. Javier Saviola, the key to Argentina's recent victory in the World Youth Cup, will spearhead the Catalan challenge, a player who is a full 10 years younger than Zidane. For in Spain, as in the rest of Europe next season, clubs will be hoping that Perez's multi-million gamble does not pay off.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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