Barcelona have struggled to replace the man who helped them to two league titles, two Spanish Cups, the European Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

But Barca's loss has been Real's gain, and although the winger has not yet reproduced the sparkling form of his days in the granite and blue strip, he has proved to be a gilt-edged2 asset to 'Los Blancos'.3

Figo provided a hatful of goal assists in Real's procession to last season's league title and notched nine of his own during the course of his 34 league appearances.

This term the Portuguese star has had a more low profile start to the campaign. The arrival of Zinedine Zidane4 has seen the spotlight move to Real's new world record signing and Figo has not shone as brightly as his French teammate.

Possibly as a result of his experiences last season, Figo appears a more aloof and serious figure than ever, but there is little doubt that he still has a fierce desire to win.

Helping guide Portugal to World Cup qualification was his first success of the season and it would be suprising if he did not finish the campaign with more garlands to add to his already impressive collection.

   
    巴塞罗那努力想填补菲戈留下的空缺，这位球员曾帮助它赢得了两次联赛冠军、两次西班牙杯赛冠军、一次欧洲超级杯冠军、一次西班牙超级杯冠军和一次欧洲优胜者杯冠军。

    但是巴塞罗那的损失成就了皇家马德里的利益，尽管这位边锋还没有完全再现他身着蓝红间条衫时的风采，他已经证明了自己的确是“白衫军团”的一件宝物。

    在皇家马德里上赛季的联赛夺冠历程中，菲戈贡献了无数次助攻，并在出场的34场联赛中射入了9个球。

    这个赛季菲戈有一个比较黯淡的开始，齐达内的到来使人们的目光转向了皇家马德里创下的新转会费纪录，而菲戈的表现也的确不如他来自法国的队友抢眼。

    也许是上赛季（转会）经历留下的后遗症，现在的菲戈比以往任何时候都更显得落寞和凝重，但是毫无疑问，他的心中依然激荡着赢得胜利的热望。

    帮助葡萄牙队取得世界杯出线权是菲戈在这个赛季的第一个成就，不出意外的话， 他那已经让人惊羡的奖品收藏在这个赛季中还会有新的进帐。(古调 译注 )

    1. FIFA: ＜法＞F巇巖ation Internationale des Football Associations 国际足球联合会（=International Football Federation)。

    2. gilt-edged: 一流的，极佳的 。

    3. 巴塞罗那传统队服为蓝红间条衫，皇家马德里队传统队服为白色。 “Los Blancos”为西班牙语，等于英文“The whites”。

    4. 2001年7月，法国球星齐达内以6450万美元身价从意大利尤文图斯队转会皇家马德里队，创下了新的转会费纪录。

菲戈小档案

Name: Luis Filipe Figo Madeira Caeiro
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Birthdate: 04/11/1972
Birthplace: Lisboa (Portugal)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 75 Kg
nationality: Portugal

摘自《英语学习》2002年第2版（J-04）