On July 24, 2000, the world of football entered the era of the "Galácticos." Luis Figo, the absolute icon of FC Barcelona, moved to their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, for 60 million euros. Twenty-six years later, the behind-the-scenes story of this transfer reveals a much darker truth: the Portuguese player never wanted to sign for Real Madrid. He was forced into it by a political bluff and a monumental blunder by his agent.

Florentino Pérez's poker move

Everything unfolds in the sweltering heat of summer 2000. In Madrid, the presidential elections are in full swing. The incumbent president, Lorenzo Sanz , is untouchable: he has just delivered Real Madrid their second Champions League title in three years (1998 and 2000). Confident in his power, he brings forward the elections, convinced that no one will dare challenge him.

That's when an ambitious businessman, Florentino Pérez , entered the fray. His program was simple but devastating: "If I am elected, Luis Figo, the Barça captain, will wear the white jersey next season. If I fail, I will pay for the season tickets of all the club's members."

The pact with the devil: José Vega's mistake

How could Pérez have been so sure of himself? Behind the scenes, he contacted Figo's agent, José Vega . He offered him a surreal contract:

1. If Pérez wins: Real Madrid pays the €60 million release clause and Figo signs for Madrid.

2. If Pérez loses: The agent and the player receive an immediate compensation bonus (estimated between 1 and 4 million euros).

For José Vega, it was easy money. Nobody believed in Pérez's victory against "King" Sanz. The agent convinced a hesitant Figo to sign, assuring him it was a risk-free operation: "We pocket the money, Pérez loses, and you stay at Barça with a fuller bank account."

The rude awakening: 91% of the vote for Pérez

The earthquake struck on July 16, 2000. Against all odds, the club members voted overwhelmingly in favor of Pérez's ambitious project. The trap was sprung. By signing this pre-contract, the agent had legally bound Figo. If he refused to join Real Madrid, the player would have to pay an astronomical compensation penalty (over 30 million euros) that neither he nor FC Barcelona could afford.

"Figo didn't want to come. He locked himself away in Lisbon, terrified of the consequences. Pérez had to take his private jet to physically go and get him and explain that he no longer had a choice."

From idol to pariah

The rest is history. Figo arrived in Madrid with a grim expression, alongside an impassive Alfredo Di Stéfano. A few months later, at the Camp Nou, he was greeted by a hail of projectiles, including the infamous pig's head, a symbol of a betrayal that the Catalan fans would never forgive him for.

However, the "betrayal" was merely an industrial accident. Luis Figo would part ways with his agent José Vega shortly afterwards, but the damage was done. Modern football had just been born from a bluff, making Figo the first pawn on a political chessboard that would dominate Europe for a decade.