Real Madrid's Luis Figo added yet another award to the
growing list of accolades he has accumulated in recent
seasons, after FIFA1 named him as World Player of the Year for
2001 on Dec 17. The 29-year-old Portuguese international, who
was named European Player of the Year in December, 2000, has
proved beyond all doubt that he is one of the best forwards in
the history of the game.
He has pace, impressive close control, a deadly shot and
the strength and stamina of an athlete. Although he is
probably at his most dangerous when he clips in his teasing
crosses from either wing, he is almost as lethal when he cuts
inside and unleashes his own fierce drives. His spectacular
long distance goal against England in Euro 2000 is a vivid
testament to what can happen if defenders give him room to run
and shoot.
Above all Figo is a team player. He can never be accused of
not giving 100 per cent when he steps out on to the field.
God-given talent allied with the ability to sacrifice
himself for the team are what marks out Figo from the rest of
the world's soccer superstars and puts him top of every
manager's wish list.
The Portuguese star is hot tempered and argumentative on
the pitch, and gets more than his fair share of bookings. But
it is this competitive spirit that makes him such a firm
favourite with the fans.
However, it was not for his footballing talent that Figo
stole the headlines last summer, but for his then world record
$ 5,690 million defection from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real
Madrid. The multi-talented forward has now become a symbol of
the new generation of the sports global superstars whose own
interests supersede those of the club they play for.
2001年12月17日，皇家马德里队的路易斯·菲戈当选为国际足联的2001年度世界足球先生。最近几个赛季菲戈获得了越来越多的荣誉，如今又增添了一项殊荣。这位29岁的葡萄牙国家队队员还曾在2000年12月获得了欧洲足球先生称号，毋庸置疑，他已经证明了自己是足球运动历史上最好的前锋之一。
他拥有超常的速度、惊人的控球技巧、致命的射门脚法以及一名优秀运动员的力量和斗志。虽然他最具威胁的武器也许是两翼的刁钻传球，但他切入内线后的强力射门也几乎同样致命，而他在2000年欧洲足球锦标赛对英格兰的比赛中那令人叹为观止的远射更是一个生动的证明：一旦后卫给了他跑动和射门的空间，他可以做到任何事。
然而菲戈首先是一个极具团队精神的球员，在球场上，他永远在付出百分之百的努力。
天赋的才能加上为集体牺牲自我的精神使菲戈从世界足坛上众多巨星中脱颖而出，也使他成为了每一个足球俱乐部经理最想得到的球员。
这位葡萄牙巨星在场上脾气火爆、喜欢（同裁判）争辩，这使他领到了一些本不应属于他的黄牌。但正是他的这种竞争精神赢得了球迷长久的喜爱。
不过，使菲戈在2000年夏天占据报纸头条的却不是他的足球天才，而是他创当时世界记录的价值5690万美元的“背叛”——从巴塞罗那队转会到了它的死对头皇家马德里队。这位多面手前锋现在成了新一代国际体育明星的象征。对他们来说，自己的利益比所效力俱乐部的利益更重要。(古调
译注)
摘自《英语学习》2002年第2版（J-04）
