The Portuguese winger believes the Premier League side can upset his former club in Europe.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo believes Manchester City will cause the Liga giants real concern when the two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, reports the Express.
City reached the last-four of Europe’s premier club competition after eliminating French champions Paris Saint-Germain from the competition over two legs and now face a potentially sterner opponent.
The Madrid heavyweights remain in contention for a domestic crown are reducing the deficit to just one point to rivals Barcelona at the top of the league and could now complete an unlikely league and cup double.
Figo made a hugely controversial swap from Catalan to the capital in 2000 in a £37 million deal. He joined the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro in a team nicknamed the Galacticos for their players’ global status.
Ahead of the upcoming European clash, Figo acknowledged that it has taken significant financial clout to enable Manuel Pellegrini’s side to challenge for top honours on the continent but feels the money spent does not blunt their threat.
He was quoted as saying in the Express: “It is not always easy to find so many top players that can play together at the same time in the same team.
“Manchester City are financially strong and have plenty of chances to buy the players they want but that is no assurance they will win trophies.
“Nevertheless, money makes them a lot, lot stronger, of course, and they have a good, good chance of getting into the final.”
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