The ‘enemy’ returns – Luis Figo back in Barcelona to watch PSG clash

Luis Figo will make a surprise – and potentially provocative – return to Barcelona tonight after being named UEFA ambassador for their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Figo remains a figure of hate among the Barca fanbase for his decision to swap Camp Nou for Real Madrid in 2000 – a seismic transfer that rocked the world of football, even leading to a Netflix documentary.

The Portuguese international faced a severe backlash from Blaugrana fans, who famously threw a pig’s head at Figo when he returned for a second time in 2002.

The situation still simmers today with Figo becoming embroiled in an altercation with a Barca fan prior to the women’s team’s Champions League final against Arsenal in May.

The fan called Figo a ‘traitor’ with the 52-year-old making an obscene in response gesture before walking away.

Despite the acrimony, Figo will be present tonight at Montjuic for the clash with the European champions. It will be his first visit to Barcelona for a game since 2009.

Intriguingly, Joan Gaspart – the Barca president at the time of Figo’s move – will also be in the directors’ box tonight. Gaspart has said previously “the only enemy I have is Luis Figo”.