Real Madrid will survive without Cristiano Ronaldo- Luis Figo

The Portuguese legend was speaking at the UEFA Champions League global fan event in Mumbai on Friday.

UEFA conducted its first ever UEFA Champions League fan event in Mumbai on Friday evening. The event was focused on spreading the popularity and understanding football across the world. After a short interaction with the media manager, the attention was shifted towards the centre of attraction for the event i.e the press conference with ex-Real Madrid and Barcelona player Luis Figo.

When questioned about the current condition of his former club Real Madrid and the impact they had after Zidane's departure, Luis Figo said, "I can say from the outside view as I am working with UEFA right now so that doesn't allow me to say anything about any club because of the conflict of interest. What I say about any club in my opinion."

"Regarding Real Madrid, I think this is not a moment to criticize because it was a really tough weak for Real Madrid as they lost everything in one week. About Zidane, it was a personal decision he took last summer," he added.

"This year did not start well for Real Madrid, they had to find the coach with just a few days after Zidane left and the season did not start well and they changed coach during the season. The players played the World Cup so the didn't rest enough so it was not good. What they have to do I cannot say as I am not inside the club," Figo went on saying.

Figo thinks Real Madrid will be alright without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo

However, the 46-year-old also made a shocking statement as he went on saying that Real Madrid will be alright in the long run without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. "What I can say is that Ronaldo is a great professional and is making history and Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world and football is like that. Real Madrid will survive without Ronaldo and Ronaldo is making history without Real Madrid, his life is football."

When questioned about teams like Liverpool, PSG and Manchester City- who spent a lot in transfer windows and dominated their respective league but still fail in the European competition he cheekily replied,  "They need to play better than others. Sometimes you know money doesn't let you know which competition you will win but sometimes the style and history of the club help you win a competition- like Real Madrid won last three Champions Leagues."

Figo backed Santiago Solari and mentioned that he is not the one to blame for Real Madrid getting knocked out of Copa Del Rey and Champions League as he stated that, "Well he is my friend and when you have good friends you wish them well. But what will happen in the future I don't know. Work of the coach is very tough as they get judged on the results. Real Madrid always fights and will fight."

When questioned about change in emotions he had while playing the El Classico from both the jersey's he said, "The only difference was just I played different club, my mentality was the same, I wanted to win every game, every moment of the game."

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"I know Real Madrid fans and what they want is results. Like all the fans in the world, I feel they are the same and if you lose the get sad. It also depends on the competition you play and they want to win everything," the Portuguese quipped.

When questioned about who can win the Champions League this season and whether he will accept the job of Real Madrid manager in future the Portuguese said, "If I had a crystal ball I would tell you. but theoretically, I would say Manchester City or Barcelona and also Atletico Madrid."

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"It's not easy to tell who is going to win, no, I am very happy with working with UEFA and for my future plans are I want to work to develop the football and competitions and I don't have a license to coach so its very difficult to coach anything," the 46-year-old further added.

To conclude the Portuguese remembered the precious memories he had while playing for Cruyff in Barcelona and being a major part of Real Madrid's Galacticos side. "Cruyff was one of the legendary football players and coach and for me he was one of the reasons I went to Barcelona, to work with him. It is a pity that he is not with us anymore but I have great memories from the time I spent with him," he signed off.