Pig’s heads and burning effigies: when Luis ‘the Judas’ Figo returned to the Nou Camp
It’s the Clásico tonight, as Real Madrid face Barcelona in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for slightly depressing money reasons.
It’ll be a far cry from the usual febrile atmosphere, which reached its apex following Luis Figo‘s infamous defection from Barca to Madrid in 2000.
On his first return, Figo was greeted at the airport and hotel by fans throwing missiles, burning effigies and holding banners reading “scum” and “Judas”.
He avoided taking corners for fear of attacks, but he was still mercilessly abused and pelted with oranges, bottles and mobile phones. The decibel level reached 112, equivalent to a plane taking off.
Two years later, he felt emboldened enough to take the set pieces, which turned out to be a mistake. Missiles rained down as he approached the corner. Among the debris: coins, knives, glass bottles, and a pig’s head. Wouldn’t try that in Riyadh…
