Betrayer GOAT Figo Praises Barcelona Target Williams: 'I Would Have Signed Him Without Hesitation at Real Madrid'

The Controversial Legend Speaks Out

Luis Figo, one of football's most polarizing figures due to his shocking 2000 transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid, has once again stirred controversy by publicly endorsing Real Madrid's pursuit of Nico Williams. The Portuguese legend, who remains one of the most hated figures among Barcelona fans, recently told Spanish outlet Diario AS that he would 'definitely sign Nico Williams' if he were in charge of Real Madrid's transfers.

Figo's comments come at a particularly sensitive time, as Williams has been Barcelona's primary transfer target for the summer of 2025. The 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Catalan giants, making Figo's intervention all the more provocative. 'There are many players I like. I would sign Nico Williams, for sure. He is a gem,' Figo declared, adding fuel to an already heated transfer saga.

The timing of these comments is particularly significant, as Barcelona fans still harbor deep resentment toward Figo for his betrayal 25 years ago. His suggestion that Real Madrid should hijack their target has been met with predictable outrage from the Catalan faithful, who view this as yet another attempt by their former hero to wound the club.

Williams' Meteoric Rise and Market Value

Nico Williams has emerged as one of Europe's most coveted wingers following his stellar performances for both Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team. The Pamplona-born forward burst onto the scene during the 2021-22 season but truly established himself as a world-class talent during Euro 2024, where he played a crucial role in Spain's championship triumph.

Figo's assessment of Williams as a 'bargain' at €58 million reflects the current inflated transfer market. 'His price seems affordable to me, considering the money that is spent nowadays. He would be a good signing because of the quality he has, and also because of his youth,' the Portuguese legend explained. This evaluation carries significant weight, given Figo's own experience as one of the most expensive transfers in football history when he moved to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee.

Williams' statistics from the 2024-25 season support Figo's glowing assessment. The winger scored 11 goals and provided 7 assists across all competitions for Athletic Bilbao, demonstrating his ability to contribute both in terms of goals and creativity. His pace, dribbling skills, and versatility have made him one of the most sought-after players in European football.

Barcelona's Advanced Negotiations

Despite Figo's provocative comments, Barcelona appears to be in pole position to secure Williams' signature. Multiple reports indicate that the Catalan club has already reached a comprehensive agreement with the player, including personal terms for a six-year contract running until 2031. The deal would see Williams earn between €7-8 million per season, placing him among Barcelona's highest-paid players.

The agreement represents a significant coup for Barcelona, especially considering that Athletic Bilbao had offered Williams a more lucrative contract worth €10 million per year. However, the player's desire to join Barcelona and take the next step in his career has proven decisive in the negotiations. Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that all personal terms have been agreed upon between Williams and Barcelona.

Barcelona's sporting director Deco has been instrumental in these negotiations, reportedly maintaining regular contact with Williams throughout the process. The club's recent domestic treble success, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España in the 2024-25 campaign, has undoubtedly enhanced their appeal to potential signings like Williams.

The Release Clause Dilemma

The primary obstacle remaining in Williams' transfer to Barcelona is the activation of his €58 million release clause with Athletic Bilbao. The Basque club has made it clear that they will not negotiate below this figure and expect the full amount to be paid upfront. This stance reflects Athletic's traditional approach to player sales and their particular reluctance to strengthen a direct La Liga rival.

Barcelona has reportedly scheduled the activation of Williams' release clause for early July, coinciding with the official opening of the summer transfer window. The club is confident of raising the necessary funds despite their well-documented financial challenges in recent years. Reports suggest that Barcelona wants to complete the deal quickly to prevent Williams from returning to Athletic for pre-season training, which could potentially complicate the transfer.

The financial aspect of the deal has been carefully structured to comply with La Liga's Financial Fair Play regulations. Barcelona is exploring various payment options and performance-based add-ons to make the transfer financially viable while meeting the league's strict financial requirements.

Figo's Tactical Analysis and Comparisons

Figo's praise for Williams extends beyond mere admiration, as the Portuguese legend provided detailed tactical analysis of the Spanish winger's abilities. When asked to compare Williams to his own playing style, Figo was honest about their differences: 'We're different players. He's a player I like a lot because of his position. I like wingers, as it was where I played better in my own career. But I wasn't as fast as him, I wish I had been so fast.'

This comparison is particularly insightful given Figo's own legendary status as a winger. The Portuguese icon was renowned for his technical ability, vision, and playmaking skills, but acknowledges that Williams possesses a different type of threat with his explosive pace. Figo's admission that he wishes he had possessed Williams' speed speaks volumes about the young Spaniard's athletic attributes.

The tactical fit that Williams would provide to either Real Madrid or Barcelona is evident in his versatility. The 22-year-old primarily operates on the left flank but is comfortable interchanging positions with attacking midfielders and other wingers. This flexibility would be particularly valuable for Barcelona under Hansi Flick, who values tactical adaptability in his attacking players.

Real Madrid's Position and Fan Reactions

Despite Figo's public endorsement, Real Madrid appears unlikely to pursue Williams seriously, primarily due to their already crowded attacking options. Los Blancos boast an impressive array of wide players, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and other talented wingers, making another acquisition in this position somewhat redundant.

Fan reactions on social media platforms have been mixed regarding Figo's comments. Real Madrid supporters on Reddit have expressed skepticism about the need for Williams, with many arguing that the club's current squad depth makes such a signing unnecessary. One fan commented: 'We don't require that guy; it would be foolish,' while another noted: 'I don't think we need Williams at all; I believe Güler is sufficient.'

However, some Real Madrid fans have acknowledged Williams' quality despite questioning the strategic necessity of his signing. The general consensus among the fanbase seems to be that while Williams is undoubtedly talented, Real Madrid's current priorities lie elsewhere in the transfer market.

Cultural Impact and El Clásico Implications

The potential transfer of Williams to Barcelona carries significant cultural implications beyond mere sporting considerations. For international fans seeking to understand Spanish football culture, Williams represents the new generation of Spanish talent that could define the next decade of La Liga. His decision to choose Barcelona over potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Catalan club's project.

Figo's intervention in this transfer saga serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted animosity that exists between Barcelona and Real Madrid supporters. His status as a 'traitor' in the eyes of Barcelona fans means that any comment he makes regarding their transfer targets is viewed through the lens of his controversial past. This dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already one of the summer's most anticipated transfers.

The broader implications for El Clásico are also significant. Should Williams join Barcelona, he would likely face Real Madrid multiple times per season, creating fascinating tactical battles against players like Vinícius Júnior and potentially fulfilling Figo's prediction about his impact on Spanish football's biggest stage.