LUIS FIGO - Highest Paid Footballer in Hstory?

It does seem like too much money for anyone in sports. But, hey the Saudis wanna give it to him so be it. I think we sometimes forget that the life of any athlete is relatively short. Some of the athletes know only their sport and after they retire there is very little that they are prepared to do. That's why I like my club's attitude in their formation Academy....schooling comes first. They must finish at least high school or they will not continue at the Academy. Thank you for dropping by and for your input.

Figo and his wife Helen have invested their money wisely which leads me to believe that he may have signed this contract to help finance his Luis Figo Foundation for underprivileged children. At least if that is the case then it is, indeed, for a worthy cause. I feel that a lot of the young players today should take a look at Figo's life, not only as a football player but as a person. He is worthy of being called a role model. To my knowledge there has never been any scandal in his personal life. I know that Sporting gave him a head start in the way they handle the young players teaching them good values and character. Some may stray later on but it is not because of the way they were formed.

De nada, gifana. I'm not saying Luis Figo don't deserve the money. Maybe, compared to all soccer players, he deserves it, but that's where the problem lies (and I'm sure you know it). If star players like Figo managed the money well, they did not have to work the rest of their lifes... As for non-star players (talking about young players that know they can never reach a team that pays the average) they realize that they need to work sometimes in the future, and they usually don't give up school soon. Like I said, €6,000,000 is way too much ;O

Yes, I read an hour ago that Figo has not yet signed the contract and won't until next week. It seems that Moratti knows a good player when he sees one and that he is going to do everything he can to keep him at Inter. However, I think the real reason for the delay might be that Inter wants a bigger piece of the purse money. What do you think? Thanks for dropping by and for your input.

Yes, I read that in the local sports paper. That's why it came as such a surprise to a lot of people that all of a sudden he would chose to leave Milan.

Last words from Moratti after the match with Atalanta was that he is a great champion and a lot important for this INTER even if comes used for little minutes. I think a new contract with Inter is ready. :)

That's true about other players but I think that Figo's contract is the highest yet. I remember the three players you mentioned and they too got high salaries in their "golden" years. In a way, it makes Saudi Arabia the "stud farm" or "cemetery" of footballers. Thanks for dropping by and your input.

Football clubs have nothing to do with the development of nations. It is merely a way that the populace can get away from their everyday humdrums and enjoy themselves. I have to admit that here in Portugal football takes priority over everything. When something happens in the football world, especially involving Portuguese players. TV newscast use that as the opening story. During the World Cup the Portuguese Parlament closed its doors so that the members could watch the games in which Portugal participated. Here it is a national issue. However, in Portugal, unlike many of the richer countries, the football clubs do not have owners....they are Clubs and its the club members and the sponsors who finance the teams in all sports, not just football although the majority of the budget is spent on football. As I have said before, football is a spectator sport and the spectators want their team to be the best. Hence it is absolutely necessary for the Clubs to spend whatever is necessary to get a good team. Thank you for dropping by.

It's not only soccer players who earn a lot. But I think in this case the Saudis went a little overboard. My only hope is that Figo will apply some of this money to his Foundation here in Portugal where it will do a lot more good than sitting in a bank somewhere and earning interest. Thanks for dropping by.

I think that many had been the people who contribuiram so that it became an excellent player, however these people do not receive nor the half from this wage. For example a teacher.

That's true. Even scientists, doctors, and the like offer so much to the universe and receive pittance in comparison with athletes in all sports. Obviously it is not fair but the owners of the clubs that hire these athletes are free to do as they choose with their money. Thanks for dropping by.

Well, I think we can all rest easy now because Figo is unemployed. He turned down the Arabian Nights deal because the Arabs didn't live up to their part of the bargain. He's playing here in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday night in a charity game for his Foundation. Some of those who will be playing include Michael Schummacher, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Morientes and many, many more. Should be fun....might even go to the stadium to see it. Thanks for dropping by and excuse the late comment but I have been on sabbatical. +

Yeah.

I think we all agree that from our point of view it is way too much. On a salarial basis Luis Figo may have set the world record for the highest paid man in the world, even if it only for six months. And God only knows how much he will get for bonuses and promotions. I agree that there should be caps but what can you base it on. It certainly cannot be an across the board cap as some countries still couldn't afford high-paid players. Viscious circle. Thanks for dropping by.

I'm assuming that you have no thoughts on the matter. Too bad. Thanks for drooping by

Are you telling me that you think it is okay for a football player, or any athlete for that matter, to receive shout an outlandish salary? Thanks for dropping by.

That is all well and good. But is that all you have to say? Why should Figo get more that the team members who have played their entire career with the club?

No, I wouldn't go so far as to say he is one of a kind because there are and have been many others back when only Figo is perhaps the first outrageous high salary. Each year somebody breaks the new high price paid but I think it is going to be a long, long, time before anyone breaks this one. Thank you for dropping by.

Don't tell me your problems....do it in someone else's discussion, or better yet if you don't have anything to add it would be better for us if you didn't say anything at all.

I couldn't agree with you more. The only problem I have with that is the fact that the high salaries of these athletes whatever sport is the cause of the rise in price of attendance. There are a lot of sports fan who prefer to watch the games live and are unable to do so because their wallet is too flat. Thank you for dropping by...your input was great.

That's life. Some have it and some don't. I still think tho that he is doing it to help his foundation to help the underprivileged children in Portugal. He certainly doesn't need the money that's for sure. He has done well with his investments. Thanks for dropping by.

Football is like movies, rock concerts, classical concerts and the like....it is entertainment....it's a business and therefore must show a profit. In order to lure people to the stadiums a team must have good players and in today's world they are very expensive. Look how much Abrahamovich paid for the Chelsea players and see the results in the championships. That's why football players and their agents can demand and get high salaries and bonuses. Thank you for dropping by.

That's very true but that's the way the world runs. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We all wish that it was different but at the moment no solution has been found to turn it around. Who knows, maybe the next generation will come up with something. Thanks for dropping by.

It sounds like a great idea. Some teams and countries do put limits on what the athletes can win which is a good thing. But in most countries any monies donated to charity are not subject to taxes as it is considered in the public interest. It would be up to FIFA to come up with some way to limit salaries and bonuses and I doubt very much that they are interested in doing such a thing. Thanks for dropping by and for your input.

I disagree. Figo has contributed quite a lot to Inter Milan. The team plays much better when he is on the pitch. Of course he is on the decline he's 33 years old and has taken a lot of punishment over the years. Thanks for dropping by.

That's all? Don't you have any ideas on the matter. Thanks for drooping by.