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Luis Figo, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star, has announced his intention to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images/file
Figo is the second former player to declare his intention to stand after former PSG and Tottenham player David Ginola entered the race last week. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images/file
Figo began his career at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona. There he won seven trophies, including back-to-back La Liga titles in 1998 and 1999, and was adored by the club's fans.
So when it was announced he was leaving to join Barca's biggest rival, Real Madrid, it was seen as not just a betrayal of the club but the whole region. Figo became public enemy number one in Catalonia. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/file
Figo's return to Barcelona's Camp Nou with his new team was unforgettable. He was roundly booed and, on a later visit, had bottles, coins and even a pig's head thrown at him from the stands. He won another seven trophies with Real, including the European Champions League in 2002.
In 2005, Figo moved to Italy to join Inter Milan, winning four successive Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups before retiring in 2009. GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Imgaes/file
The 42-year-old is Portugal's most capped player with 127 appearances to his name. His career with the national team might best be remembered for the near miss he had in Euro 2004 as Portugal, who were hosts, lost to minnows Greece in the final. Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Figo called time on his Portugal career at the end of the 2006 World Cup, his last appearance coming in a third place playoff defeat to Germany after it had lost to France in the semifinal. PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images
Figo's work for the Portugal national team, and with Inter Milan, qualifies him to run for the presidency, and he revealed to CNN he has backing from five FIFA member associations -- another prerequisite. Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
Figo still dons his boots every now and then, playing in charity matches for Real Madrid in recent years. Clive Mason/Getty Images/file
