“At Real Madrid, Two Years Without Titles Set Off Alarms”

Figo: “At Real Madrid, two years without titles set off alarm bells”

The Laureus ambassador analyzes the white news and confesses his desire for the Champions League

The world of football, always in flux, brings us the reflections of a living legend of the beautiful game. Luis Figo, the charismatic former Portuguese footballer and now ambassador of the prestigious Laureus foundation, has shared his vision on the current situation of Real Madrid, a club that he knows perfectly after passing through its ranks. In his own words, “when you don't win a title for two years, alarm bells go off” in the White House, a reflection of the demand and pressure that characterize one of the most awarded entities on the planet.

Figo, with the serenity that characterizes him, has analyzed the moment that the Madrid team is going through. “We all know what a year Real Madrid has had,” he comments, alluding to a season that, although it has not been disastrous, has not met the usual high expectations either. The change of coach, a factor that often destabilizes any team, has been pointed out by the Portuguese as an element that contributes to instability. “When you change coaches it becomes unstable and people always look for culprits,” he says knowingly.

The former player, who has always maintained a close relationship with the club, prefers not to go into details about what happens behind the doors of the locker room. “I can't speak because I'm not in the locker room,” he explains, but his experience allows him to intuit the magnitude of the pressure. “Being one of the best, when you don't win a title for two years, alarm bells go off,” he insists, underlining the winning mentality that permeates every corner of Real Madrid.

For a club used to lifting trophies season after season, a title drought for a couple of consecutive campaigns is undoubtedly an unusual situation. Figo describes it as “a strange situation because he is used to winning,” although he also recognizes the inevitability of cycles: “you can't always win.” The Portuguese, with a pragmatic vision, adds that constant victory “would be very monotonous” and that there are other teams with legitimate aspirations.

However, at Real Madrid, the echo of criticism and public debate resonates with greater intensity. “At Real Madrid the noise is always louder,” says Figo. Discussions, analyzes and speculations about the future of the bench and the possible causes of setbacks are commonplace. “Now there will be talk about the coach, who is to blame and blah blah blah… something that is not talked about in the locker room,” he adds, suggesting that the internal cohesion of the team may be greater than what is perceived from the outside.

Within the framework of a press conference held at Madrid City Hall, prior to the 2026 Laureus Awards gala, Figo also ventured to predict the outcome of the Champions League. According to their analysis, the next champion will emerge from the semi-final that will face Paris Saint-Germain, the current title holder, and Bayern Munich. The German team, which recently eliminated Real Madrid, is emerging as a serious candidate.

But beyond the pools, Figo's heart holds a special desire. “Of those who remain, I would like Atlético de Madrid to win the Champions League,” he confessed with a smile. This predilection is born, in his own words, from the “friendship I have with Miguel Ángel Gil and Enrique Cerezo”, top leaders of the mattress club. A gesture of camaraderie that transcends sports rivalry.

The conversation turned to the future of young talents, and the name of Michael Olise, French striker for Bayern Munich, came up in the conversation. Figo was cautious about the possibility of the young footballer joining Real Madrid. “It has been a very positive surprise for football fans,” he acknowledged about Olise's performance. However, he considers that signing him would be “difficult.”

The Portuguese argues that Olise plays for “a very big team in Europe” and that his departure would be “complicated.” “It's a bet by Bayern, he knows it and compared to how the market is, it has been a very good operation,” he highlighted, highlighting the Bavarian club's strategy and the current situation of the transfer market, where high-caliber operations are increasingly complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Luis Figo think about the pressure at Real Madrid?
Figo believes that at Real Madrid, the absence of titles for two consecutive years generates great pressure and causes “alarm bells to go off.”

Why does Figo believe that the “noise” is greater at Real Madrid?
According to Figo, the white club is used to winning and the demand from the media and fans is much greater, which generates more debate and speculation.

Who are Figo's favorites to win the Champions League?
Figo believes that the winner of the Champions League will emerge from the duel between PSG and Bayern Munich, although he has a personal wish for Atlético de Madrid to win the title.

What relationship does Figo have with Atlético de Madrid?
Figo expressed his desire for Atlético to win the Champions League because of the friendship he has with Miguel Ángel Gil and Enrique Cerezo, club leaders.

Does Figo see the signing of Michael Olise for Real Madrid as feasible?
Figo considers that Olise's signing for Real Madrid would be “difficult” because it is an important bet for Bayern Munich and his departure from the German club would be complicated.

How does Figo evaluate Real Madrid's season?
Figo acknowledges that Real Madrid has had a difficult year, with instability due to the change of coach, but highlights that the club always looks for culprits when objectives are not achieved.

What does it mean for Figo to be a Laureus ambassador?
Being a Laureus ambassador means promoting sport as a tool for social change and supporting young people in vulnerable situations through sports programs.

What advice would Figo give to young footballers who aspire to play for big clubs?
Although not directly mentioned in the text, it is inferred that Figo would emphasize the importance of dedication, hard work, a winning mentality, and resilience in the face of adversity.

What role does sports journalism play according to Figo's perspective?
Figo seems to recognize the influence of sports journalism on the public perception of clubs and players, pointing out how media “noise” affects the image of Real Madrid.

What is Figo's philosophy on winning in football?
Figo takes a balanced view, recognizing that while victory is essential, the diversity of contenders is also important and that constant victory could be monotonous.

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