Former Real Madrid winger Luis Figo is confident his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo will remain at the Bernabeu next season.
Despite having a contract until 2018 and expressing his intention to fulfil it, rumours persist that Real’s record goalscorer will leave the club this summer.
Qatar-backed Ligue 1 big-spenders Paris Saint-Germain have long been credited with an interest in the 31-year-old, while the British press continue to link him with a return to former club Manchester United.
The Portuguese has suffered criticism for his performances against Los Blancos’ toughest opponents this season, but Figo believes it is his desire to play in the biggest games and consistently challenge for domestic and European silverware that will keep him in the Spanish capital.
“The football business is like any business, so many factors need to line up: the right coach, the right team-mates, and also the financial rewards offered to the players,” Figo told Sport360.
“But I think it is important to note that players such as Ronaldo want to compete at the highest level, against the best competition, and in the best clubs, so he is most likely to stay at Real Madrid.”
Figo was himself a serial winner at the Bernabeu, lifting two La Liga titles and the 2002 Champions League as a team-mate of current Real boss Zinedine Zidane.
The 43-year-old Figo admits he never saw Zidane pursuing a career in management but has backed him to succeed, even if a little patience may be required.
“Not really,”replied Figo when asked if he could have predicted Zidane’s move into coaching. “But I think he sees that this is the right time for him to be taking on this new direction.
“I was very happy for him and I think this means great things for the club.
“However, it will be a challenge in the beginning to meet the club’s expectations very quickly.
“I think it will take some time for us to see his skills being showcased in his new role but I know him well and am sure that he will give 100 per cent to this new adventure.
“I do think that he will put his all into it and use all his years of experience to get the most out of this opportunity. I wish him the best of luck.”
Zidane enjoys legendary status with the notoriously demanding Madridistas for his exploits on the pitch, and while Figo believes this can only help him now as a manager, he warns that ultimately he’ll only be judged by one set of criteria.
He said: “In football what matters the most is the results and for a coach that is the most important thing. T
he fans already love him, which will definitely be a positive and supportive thing when times get difficult.”
Luis Figo was talking to Sport360 following a recent trip to Dubai where he was a guest at the
the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort.