Figo: Why I left Barca for Real

The Argentine started his career at Sporting. Afterwards he joined Barcelona and player for five years for them when he decided to join Real Madrid where he spent another five years and finally went to Inter where he retired in 2009. A lot of fans accused him of being a traitor and he never explained the reason for his move - until now.

"My departure from Barca wore me out a lot. I had a lot of pressure," the 2000 Ballon d'Or winner told La Liga's official website.

"At some point I thought no, but it's that it was not just the sporting and economic part, but rather that it affected more people.

You have moments in which you doubt, in which you think about whether you are going to do it or not, until you take the step and there is no longer a way back.

"In the end, as is the case in all professions, if you do not feel recognised one hundred per cent, and I do not mean by the public, but rather by the people that manage the club, if you have other offers you think about changing. And that is what happened."