Luis Figo quickly corrected host about ‘playing’ with Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004

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Luis Figo was quick to correct a podcast host who suggested he was the one “playing with” Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004.

The Portugal legend reminded listeners that while Ronaldo was an emerging teenager at the time, he himself was already an established Ballon d’Or winner nearing the latter stages of his career.

Luis Figo corrects the host over Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2004

The exchange came during a recent podcast appearance on The Obi One Podcast when the host asked Figo what it was like playing with Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2004 European Championship.

“No. He played with me. He was starting and I was finishing [my career],” Figo said.

Figo added: “You could see that he was an amazing talent and with the qualities he had in that time, he was 18… because he had technique.

“He was very fast and he could play [with] both legs, and he could jump.”

At Euro 2004, Ronaldo was just 18 years old and breaking into Portugal’s senior setup, while Figo captained the side and was one of Europe’s most decorated midfielders.

The tournament, hosted by Portugal, saw the team reach the final before losing to Greece, marking a turning point as Ronaldo began his ascent on the international stage.

Luis Figo insists he only has admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite the playful correction, Figo made it clear there is no rivalry or bitterness in his view of Ronaldo’s achievements.

“So, he was amazing at that time. … When you tell something that is not positive. They think, ‘No, he’s jealous this and that’ because Portuguese this and that generation. No,” Figo continued.

He concluded, stating: “I have the biggest admiration for him because I think he’s an example. He’s a person who took the Portugal name everywhere and the records, the hunger that he have to always be better and win, be competitive, I think just nice words in relation to what is the history of football.”

Figo’s comments underline the respect between two generations of Portuguese greats. While he was the established leader during Euro 2004, Ronaldo would go on to become the nation’s all-time top scorer and captain a side to European Championship glory in 2016.