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Luis Figo 2000
Luis FIGOLuis FIGO
Your choice…Luis Figo
Figo first to the prize to the prize
Euro 2000 dominated theuro 2000 dominated the vo voting in the annual poll ting in the annual poll for Wor ld Soccer’s Playes Pla r, r, Te Team and Manager of am and Manager of th the Year. Luis Figo, out e Year. Luis Figo, outstandingstanding for Portugal in the summer tournament, edged out Frenchman Zinedine Zidane. France took the Team prize, butFrance took the Team prize, but the Manager vote was won by Dino e Manager vote was won by Dino Zoff, coach of Italy, the side beaten, coach of Italy, the side beaten by France in the final of Euro 2000. France in the final of Euro 2000.
Fi Figo took the World Playego took the World Player of the r of the Year award thanks to his perar award thanks to his performances ances for Portugal and, more contr Portugal and, more controversially, rsially, both Barcelona and Real Madrid,both Barcelona and Real Madrid, whom he joined for a world-recordwhom he joined for a world-record transfer fee in July.
Bu But it was a close run thing. Zidane,t it was a close run thing. Zidane, th the favourite when the voting openede favourite when the voting opened in October – and the inspiratiin October – and the inspiration behind on behind France’sFr Euro 2000 triumph – paid Euro 2000 triumph – paid the price for a e price for a ra rash of red cards for sh of red cards for Juve ventus in the Italian league and ntus in the Italian league and Champions League during the autumn. Champions League during the autumn.
Ironically, Zidane may still triumph Ironically, Zidane may still triumph in the FIFA World Footballer of the in the FIFA World Footballer of the Year vote, shortly to be announced in ar vote, shortly to be announced in Ro Rome. Polling for that award, amongme. Polling for that award, among the world’s national coaches, took e world’s national coaches, took place before Zidane suffeplace before Zidane suffere red his d his disciplinary problems.
But there is no doubting Fi Figo’s wor go’s worth thiness for our award.iness for our award. Fo For years, he has arguably been r years, he has arguably been th the most under e most underra rate ted played player in the r in the
