Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has claimed club owner Florentino Perez has interfered with team matters and did so to force the Portuguese international to leave in 2005.
Figo was the first of the Galactico signings made under Perez when he joined from rivals Barcelona, and instantly got involved helping them win the 2002 Champions League.
But three years on Figo’s position at Los Blancos had become untenable as he was benched systematically until his departure for Inter Milan.
“I have no doubts I was on the bench many times, but it is one thing when you are 18 and another when you are 33 or 34,” he told ESPN. “You cannot treat a kid of 18 like a 33-year-old.
“But sometimes these are technical decisions and sometimes they are not, and it is a question of… in the world of football everything happens.”
The former Ballon d’Or winner is convinced Perez instigated the team selection, saying: “For me, yes. I have no doubts. But that is the past and I have turned the page.”
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
The same as Casillas’ case.