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Figo shines on historic night
On Wednesday, Luis Figo won the heart of every Portuguese with the biggest match of his career, a display of cunning and desire.
Over the last few days, some questioned his leadership and attitude.
On Wednesday, Luis Figo won the heart of every Portuguese with the biggest match of his career, a display of cunning and desire that propelled the host nation into its first-ever major championship final.
"I'd trade everything I've ever won for this one moment," Figo said.
After his poor performance and sulking behavior following his early substitution in the quarterfinal win over England, no one knew what to expect from the team captain.
But after barely 24 minutes, the cries of "Figo, Figo" were already cascading down the stands of the Jose Alvalade stadium, and he kept them coming until the Portuguese outlasted the Dutch 2-1 to reach the final of Euro 2004.
Once the final whistle released the home crowds, Figo fell to the ground, exhausted and overcome with emotion.
"I was pretty tired," he said. "Emotionally, it meant everything."
Thirteen years ago - exactly to the day of Wednesday's win - Figo was a member of the Portuguese team that took the under-21 world championship in Lisbon's Stadium of Light. The dream was to get Portugal into another final.
"Since that day I was like following the objective of being in one big competition with my country."
"To me, it was really important," said the star, who has won plenty of club trophies with Real Madrid.
It was his last shot at a final since he will retire from international soccer after the tournament.
"It is a fantastic night for Portuguese soccer ... It is historic for the country."
The only thing lacking in his performance Wednesday was a goal, and he came desperately close in the 41st minute when he cut himself free on the right and hit a left-footed curling shot from 20 meters that crashed onto the post.
Despite his 31 years, he kept outrunning defenders on both flanks and wandered all over the field to keep the Dutch off guard. It was a standout performance which easily won him the Man of the Match award.
It was a total turnabout from the England game when he had no drive and walked of the field petulantly ignoring his coach and teammates when he was pulled in the 75th minute. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he always trusted in the "national idol," and perhaps the early substitution awoke the fighting spirit in the veteran once more. And most fans never seemed to doubt.
"The support we've been getting, just thinking about it gives me goose bumps," he said.
