[Buckery]

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slu...ters&type=lgns

MADRID, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Luis Figo's likely departure from Real Madrid marks the end of an era at the club, according to centre-back Ivan Helguera.

"As a team mate, a friend, and as a player it is a shame that he has gone," Helguera told the Real Madrid website on Friday.

"As a player he gave everything to Real Madrid and helped the club win a lot of trophies. I think the arrival of Figo and (club president) Florentino Perez was a watershed for Real."

The 32-year-old Portuguese international is set to sign a two-year deal with Inter Milan after leaving Real's pre-season training base on Thursday in order to pass a medical with the Serie A side.

Figo played an instrumental role in helping Perez become president of Real Madrid in July 2000. The construction magnate promised to buy the player out of his contract with Barcelona if he won the election.

Against expectation Perez was catapulted to power on the back of the promise and paid a then world record $56 million to bring Figo to the Bernabeu.

The arrival of Figo inaugurated the so-called Galactico era at Real with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham joining the club in succeeding years.

Figo won two league titles, the World Club Cup, the European Super Cup and the Champions League in his first three seasons at Real.




Hard to realize what you've lost until it's gone. Figo has been one of the best footballers for years. He has put Real back on the map, after his signing many others came. Now with Baptista and Robinho they're going in a new direction. Two of these with Ronaldo makes a pretty nice 3 headed brazilian monster. Now all they need is Inter's Adriano and they're good to go

B