Figo Cautions Real Madrid Stars: ‘Egos Can Ruin You’

Real Madrid icon Luis Figo has issued a stark warning to the club’s current crop of superstars, including French forward Kylian Mbappe, stressing that egos have the potential to ruin both team chemistry and performance. In a candid interview with El Mundo, the former Portuguese international shared his thoughts on the challenges facing Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti’s leadership and the importance of maintaining harmony within a squad brimming with talent.

Figo, who was one of the original “Galacticos” – a term coined during Florentino Pérez’s first term as club president when he brought the star player from FC Barcelona in the early 2000s – understands the pressures of playing for a club like Real Madrid. His time at the Santiago Bernabéu saw him rubbing shoulders with other footballing legends such as Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Ronaldo Nazário. Together, they were part of a squad that set a high standard for individual brilliance and team success.

Reflecting on his time at the club, Figo’s insight into the modern team is informed by his firsthand experience of playing with a roster full of big names and even bigger personalities. Despite the immense talent within the current squad, which includes Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr., Figo noted that the team must overcome the potential pitfalls of inflated egos that can disrupt the balance of the squad.

Figo was asked in the interview about the significance of players being friends off the pitch and whether that can positively influence their on-field performances. While he acknowledged that fostering good relationships between teammates can have its advantages, he was quick to underline the greater importance of maintaining a clear understanding of roles within the team.

“It can be important to get along with your teammates,” Figo said. “It’s always better when the atmosphere is positive, but the most critical thing, in terms of playing, is that everyone knows their role. At the end of the day, egos can destroy you in terms of atmosphere, results, and teamwork.”

He continued to emphasize that for a team to function cohesively, each player must be aware of their own strengths, responsibilities, and areas where they might need to make sacrifices for the collective good. “The most important thing is that each one, with their quality, knows their space, knows what they have to do and what they have to sacrifice for the benefit of the team. If they understand that, then everything should work out perfectly.”

Figo’s words serve as a timely reminder of the dangers of individualism within a high-profile team like Real Madrid, where star players are often in the spotlight both on and off the pitch. He warned that without mutual respect and a shared vision for success, even the most talented squad can falter under the weight of personal ambitions.

The former Galactico also chose not to compare the current Real Madrid squad to the one he was part of during his time at the club, preferring to avoid direct comparisons that could lead to unfair judgments. “I don’t like to compare, because then someone always comes out harmed,” he explained. “They are different generations, the rivals are different, soccer is different… The only thing that can be said is that the best players in the world play for Madrid. In that respect, yes, there are similarities, but each one has its style, and they are different times.”

While Figo refused to get drawn into a debate about the relative merits of past and present, he did express confidence in Real Madrid’s ability to compete at the highest level in Europe, especially in the Champions League. The Portuguese legend believes that despite the challenges posed by a condensed schedule and the upcoming European Championship, Real Madrid has what it takes to remain competitive throughout the season.

“I think Madrid will be there with options to win until the decisive moments,” he said, offering a measured yet optimistic assessment of the team’s prospects. “It’s a difficult year because of the European Championship, and the players have had few holidays. You have to give them time to gel.” Figo’s comment alludes to the physical and mental strain placed on top-tier players, many of whom have been involved in a jam-packed international calendar, making it more difficult to build team chemistry during the pre-season.

Real Madrid’s potential, according to Figo, remains largely untapped. While they are likely to face tough competition in Spain and Europe, Figo believes that with patience and time, Ancelotti’s squad can find their rhythm. The Champions League, in particular, is a competition where the club has historically excelled, and Figo is hopeful that their pedigree in European football will continue to serve them well in the coming months.

His comments about the egos in football are especially pertinent given the high-profile nature of the club’s squad. With players like Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. now part of a Real Madrid team that also features established stars, such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, the challenge for Ancelotti will be to create a balanced environment where individual brilliance can thrive without undermining the team dynamic.

Figo’s career at Real Madrid was a testament to the importance of unity in the face of immense pressure. As one of the key figures in the early Galactico era, Figo’s experience suggests that maintaining harmony in the locker room is essential to achieving success. His words, therefore, carry significant weight as Real Madrid moves through a transitional phase, hoping to blend its legacy of world-class talent with a more harmonious and focused approach to the game.

In conclusion, Figo’s cautionary advice to Mbappe and his teammates is clear: in football, as in life, the greatest teams are not necessarily those with the most individual brilliance, but those where each player knows their role and is willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of the team. It is a lesson that the current Real Madrid squad would do well to heed as they embark on another demanding season.