Figo bar attracts rich and famous

Famous faces from Pele to Michael Schumacher beam down from the walls of the harbourside Sete cafe in this fashionable Algarve resort.

The region's best known watering hole is owned by the country's most renowned footballer, Luis Figo, and has become a magnet for celebrity sportsmen as well as film stars and royalty since it opened in time for the World Cup six years ago.

It is named after the Real Madrid forward's international shirt number seven.

While Figo is otherwise engaged preparing for Saturday's European Championship opener against Greece, his irrepressible partner Paulo Tong Tam, nicknamed China, is running the place.

"The bar was Figo's idea. He wanted a place where people could come and watch sport in a good atmosphere with likeminded people," China said.

For the armchair athlete the bar is a paradise, with a bank of big screens to show sport by satellite from round the world. During Euro 2004, commentaries on the games can be received from around Europe in several languages.

When there is no live football punters can watch tennis or golf, while Figo's Real team mates David Beckham and Ronaldo as well as tennis's Boris Becker and England World Cup-winning rugby captain Martin Johnson grin down at them.

"All the famous sports people come here because they have an affinity with Figo. We also get the Spanish royal family and pop singers. I know them all," China said airily.

China, who arrived penniless from Mozambique after the country won independence from Portugal following the 1974 revolution, started out in the Algarve washing dishes before cashing in on the boom in the tourist trade over the last 30 years.

He chose well in basing himself in Vilamoura, a bare patch of coastline before the marina was built in 1974 and now the upmarket golfing mecca of the region.

China expects Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's yacht to join others moored in the harbour in time for Saturday's Spain v Russia game 25 km away at the Algarve Stadium.

The Chelsea owner has just hired Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, a friend of China's, to manage the premier league side.

"I'm hoping Jose will bring Abramovich here with him after one of the matches," China added.

On a hot and sleepy Friday lunchtime, with the boats bobbing gently out front, there was no sign of the rich and famous, however.

A group of England fans, heavily tattooed and sporting some union jack shorts were enjoying a beer in the sunshine, perhaps the first of many.

China is not worried about hooliganism despite England supporters' trouble-making reputation.

"There will be no problems. They are great fans, very animated, very passionate. I hope lots come here," he said.