Figo picks Pedri, Valverde in Hypothetical Barcelona–Real Madrid swap

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo has once again drawn attention with his latest remarks on transfers, this time highlighting the players he would choose in a hypothetical swap between the two Spanish giants.

Speaking in an interview relayed by MARCA, the Portuguese legend named Barcelona’s Pedri and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde as his top picks.

“Perhaps Pedri from Barça. If it were the other way around, from Real Madrid, it would be Valverde. They are great players. They always perform at the highest level. They are a safe bet. And they are important to their teams,” Figo said.

Pedri has cemented his role as a creative engine in Barcelona’s midfield, while Valverde is admired for his versatility, energy, and consistency in Madrid’s setup.

Figo’s own switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000 remains one of the most controversial transfers in football history. Real Madrid activated his then-world record €62 million release clause, a fee that shocked the football world and left Barcelona fans feeling betrayed.

Looking back, Figo admitted he thought the figure was excessive at the time.

“I already thought at the time [that €60 million] was a lot, imagine now that the market is much bigger. I still think it’s too much.”

He also pointed to Neymar’s world-record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 as one of the most remarkable transfers in modern football.

“First, because of what Barça paid and then because of what PSG paid. Logically, what surprises me today is what is paid for what I consider to be normal transfers. Nowadays, paying 60-70 million is normal. And that’s still a lot of money,” Figo added.

More than two decades later, Figo’s transfer still defines the fierce Barcelona–Madrid rivalry.