Real Madrid and Barcelona legend Luis Figo Friday left Bulawayo for South Africa after a one day visit to the city amid indications he is interested in a mining project.
Report by Fortune Mbele
The former Portuguese international who was accompanied by his friend, a South African businessman with mining interests in Zimbabwe, Gayton Mackenzie told Southern Eye he enjoyed his brief stay in the city and would be returning soon.
Figo confirmed in an interview at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport that he was interested in investing in the country if an opportunity arises. “Bulawayo is very quiet and very relaxing,” he said. “It is my first time here and I will be returning to Zimbabwe soon. “The hospitality is good. I have a charity foundation and most likely, like any other businessman I am looking for opportunities but this was just a short visit.”
The former Inter Milan star also revealed that he had made contacts with people involved in local football during his brief stay but he was not willing to disclose the nature of the discussions.
However, Mackenzie, a mining magnate in South Africa, tried to distance Figo from any business deals in Zimbabwe. He said he was exploring opportunities of bringing more famous football stars to Zimbabwe in future and Figo’s visit was meant to test the waters. “I am going to bring (Barcelona star Lionel) Messi,” Mackenzie said. “Ronaldo (Real Madrid) will be coming and Figo is helping. “You will see Zinedine (Zidane), Raul and the likes of Andy Cole here.”
“I want them to play the Warriors or the Zimbabwean legends with one match being played here in Bulawayo and the other being played in Harare.
“I will be here again next week to talk to Zifa,” he said. Figo retired from football in 2009. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the peak of his career before hanging his boots.
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Born Luis Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, he won 127 caps for Portugal, making him the most capped player in the country’s history. He was named the 2000 European Footballer of the Year and the Fifa World Player of the Year the following year Twitter: @fmbele
