Luis Figo: No chance of Messi leaving Barcelona for Real Madrid | OneFootball

Luís Figo believes it is “impossible” that Lionel Messi would follow his example and make a move from Barcelona to Real Madrid during this transfer window.

Indeed, the former Portugal international predicted that Messi will prove prohibitively expensive for any club in the current deflated market.

Speaking at an event in Lisbon ahead of Sunday’s Champions League final, Figo said (via AS): “It will be impossible for any club to pay up Messi’s release clause this year.

“There’s not much movement in the transfer market at the moment.

“I think it’s very difficult or even impossible for any club to be able pay Messi’s contract.”

Figo caused massive controversy in 2000 when he crossed the El Clásico divide after five years at the Nou Camp.

Asked by a reporter if there was any chance Messi would consider joining Los Blancos, the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner replied: “For me, I think it’s impossible we’ll see anything similar to what happened with me 20 years ago.”

Real shelled out €62m to Barça for Figo’s services, and he repaid them by helping the Santiago Bernabéu outfit to win two LaLiga titles and the 2002 Champions League.