Figo: Barcelona pushed me to Real Madrid

Luis Figo has revealed he believes Barcelona were happy to sell him to Real Madrid two years ago.

The Portuguese international turns 30 this week and is currently in his third season with Real.

He said: "It was a complicated decision and difficult to make. Mainly for somebody like me, who had a stable life, but I finished changing shirts because I felt that they did not recognize everything that I had done for the club."

"I had hoped to stay with Barcelona, but I believe that the objective of the directors of Barcelona was to camouflage the truth."

"Due to financial difficulties, they had to sell some players like myself and Rivaldo - players who were capable of still giving a lot to the club."

On his controversial comments regarding the Portuguese FA last month, which he believes have not adequately replaced World Cup coach Antonio Oliveira, Figo added: "I will never be disappointed when playing for Portugal as it's the maximum a player can achieve and something I have valued since I was 15 years old."

"But yes, I am disappointed with some people in the Federation who have not kept their promises to the players."