# Luís Figo

> Portuguese football player (born 1972)

**Wikidata**: [Q483145](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q483145)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luís_Figo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luis-figo

## Summary

Luís Figo is a Portuguese football player who is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished footballers of his generation. He is known for his exceptional skill, versatility, and successful career spanning from 1990 to 2009. Figo has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his excellence in the sport, including the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.

## Biography

- **Born:** Not specified in source material
- **Nationality:** Portugal
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Playing association football (soccer) at the highest professional level
- **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material
- **Field(s):** Association football (soccer)

## Contributions

Based on the source material, Luís Figo's contributions to football include:

- **Professional Football Career:** Played association football from April 1, 1990, until 2009, representing clubs at the highest levels of European football
- **Ballon d'Or Achievement:** Won the Ballon d'Or, an annual association football award established in 1956, which is considered one of the most prestigious individual honors in football
- **FIFA World Player of the Year:** Received recognition through the FIFA World Player of the Year award, which was established in 1991
- **CNID Footballer of the Year:** Won the CNID Footballer of the Year award, a Portuguese football award established in 1970
- **FIFA 100 Recognition:** Named in the FIFA 100, a structured list of footballers recognizing their contributions to the sport
- **UEFA Team of the Year:** Received honor through the UEFA Team of the Year award, established in 2001

## FAQs

**What is Luís Figo known for?**
Luís Figo is known for being a Portuguese association football player who played professionally from 1990 to 2009, earning numerous prestigious individual awards including the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.

**What awards has Luís Figo won?**
According to the source material, Luís Figo has won the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, CNID Footballer of the Year, and has been named in the FIFA 100 list and UEFA Team of the Year.

**What country does Luís Figo represent?**
Luís Figo represents Portugal, a country in Southwestern Europe with a rich footballing tradition and history dating back to the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal in various historical contexts.

**How long was Luís Figo's football career?**
Luís Figo's professional football career spanned from April 1, 1990, until 2009, totaling approximately 19 years of professional play.

**What makes Luís Figo significant in football?**
Luís Figo is significant for being recognized as one of the top footballers globally, as evidenced by his multiple prestigious awards including the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, which place him among the elite players in the history of the sport.

## Why They Matter

Luís Figo matters in the world of football for several significant reasons. His recognition through the Ballon d'Or places him among the select group of footballers who have achieved the highest individual honor in the sport. The Ballon d'Or, established in 1956 and awarded annually, is widely considered the most prestigious individual award in football, and Figo's win demonstrates his exceptional skill and impact on the game.

His achievements in the FIFA World Player of the Year award, which began in 1991, further cement his status among football's elite. This award, given by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), recognizes the world's best footballer each year, and Figo's receipt of this honor indicates his consistent performance at the highest level of the sport.

The CNID Footballer of the Year award, established in 1970 for Portuguese football, recognizes Figo's specific contributions to Portuguese football, highlighting his importance to his national footballing tradition. Portugal, as a country, has produced numerous talented footballers, and Figo's recognition among them demonstrates his standing in Portuguese football history.

His inclusion in the FIFA 100 list is particularly significant as it represents recognition of his overall contribution to football as a sport. The UEFA Team of the Year honor, established in 2001, further validates his status among Europe's top footballers during his career.

Without Figo's contributions, the landscape of Portuguese and world football would be notably different. His success helped raise the profile of Portuguese football internationally and inspired subsequent generations of Portuguese players. The combination of his Ballon d'Or win, FIFA World Player of the Year recognition, and other honors establishes him as one of the defining footballers of his era.

## Notable For

- Winning the Ballon d'Or (annual association football award, country: France/, established 1956)
- Receiving FIFA World Player of the Year recognition (award established 1991)
- Winning CNID Footballer of the Year (Portuguese award established 1970)
- Being named in the FIFA 100 (structured list of footballers)
- Receiving UEFA Team of the Year honor (award established 2001)
- Having a wikipedia_title: "Luís Figo" with 80 sitelinks
- Having a wikidata_description: "Portuguese football player"
- Career spanning from April 1990 to 2009 (approximately 19 years)

## Body

### Early Career and Professional Beginnings

Luís Figo, whose full name is Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo (also known as Luis Figo), began his professional football career on April 1, 1990. This date marks the start of a nearly two-decade-long career that would establish him among the elite footballers of his generation. The source material indicates his career concluded in 2009, giving him a professional playing career of approximately 19 years.

### National Identity and Representation

Figo represents Portugal, a country located in Southwestern Europe. Portugal has a rich footballing tradition and has produced numerous world-class footballers. The country's football history is intertwined with its broader historical development, which includes various significant dates such as the declaration of independence in 1139, the recognition of independence in 1143, the Battle of São Mamede in 1128, and the Manifestis Probatum in 1179. Portugal's footballing identity has been shaped by generations of talented players, and Figo stands as one of the most decorated Portuguese footballers in history.

### Awards and Recognition

The source material reveals that Luís Figo has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career:

**Ballon d'Or:** This is perhaps the most significant individual honor in football. Established in 1956 and awarded annually, the Ballon d'Or recognizes the best football player in the world. Figo's achievement in winning this award places him among the sport's all-time greats. The award is associated with France, reflecting its origin and organizational structure.

**FIFA World Player of the Year:** This award, established in 1991, is given annually to the world's best footballer as determined by votes from national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists. Figo's recognition through this award demonstrates his standing among the global football elite during his playing career.

**CNID Footballer of the Year:** This is a Portuguese football award established in 1970. The CNID (Centro de Investigação e Documentação Desportiva) award specifically recognizes excellence in Portuguese football, making Figo's win particularly significant for his contributions to his nation's footballing tradition.

**FIFA 100:** This is a structured list of footballers compiled by FIFA to recognize players who have made significant contributions to the sport. Being named in this list indicates Figo's lasting impact on football.

**UEFA Team of the Year:** Established in 2001, this award recognizes the best players in European football each year. Figo's inclusion in this team demonstrates his consistent performance among Europe's top footballers.

### Career Duration and Professional Timeline

Figo's professional football career spanned from April 1, 1990, to 2009. This approximately 19-year career is substantial in professional football, where careers often span 15-20 years at the highest level. His career duration indicates sustained excellence and longevity in a highly competitive sport.

### Field of Work

Figo's primary field of work is association football, commonly known as soccer in some regions. The source material identifies him specifically as an "association football player," which is the formal designation for the sport governed by FIFA and played according to the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board.

### Connected Entities and Relationships

The source material reveals several connected entities that provide context for Figo's career:

- **Association football player:** The fundamental role and occupation
- **Portugal:** His national representation
- **Human:** His species classification
- **Ballon d'Or:** One of his major awards
- **FIFA World Player of the Year:** Another major award
- **CNID Footballer of the Year:** National award
- **FIFA 100:** Recognition list
- **UEFA Team of the Year:** European recognition

### Legacy and Significance

Luís Figo's legacy in football is characterized by his numerous individual accolades and his status as one of Portugal's most successful footballers. His achievements have contributed to the global recognition of Portuguese football and have inspired subsequent generations of Portuguese players. The combination of his Ballon d'Or win, FIFA World Player of the Year recognition, and other honors establishes him as one of the defining footballers of his era.

His career from 1990 to 2009 coincided with a transformative period in football, and his success helped elevate the profile of Portuguese football internationally. The recognition he received through multiple prestigious awards demonstrates his consistent performance at the highest level of the sport throughout his career.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. datos.bne.es
3. Argentine Soccer Database
4. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=153)
5. general catalog of BnF
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Transfermarkt
8. Discogs
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Catalan Sport Encyclopedia
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. UEFA.com