What Became of The Likely Lads?

 

There are two enduring images that surfaced amongst the Portuguese press in the aftermath of the Euro 2004 Final. One was Cristiano Ronaldo's uncontrollable tears - the boy wonder reflecting the hurt of a nation. The other being Luis Figo's solitary figure trudging off the field, stooped in thought as the cameras worked hard to capture the inconsolable nature of a finals defeat. Figo's surviving compatriots Rui Costa and Fernando Couto, who would both announce their international retirement with immediate effect, shared Figo’s painful realisation that the chance of a fairytale ending for Portugal's Golden Generation had been stifled by a well organised Greek outfit.

 

Expectations had always been especially high for Portugal's Golden Generation, having won the Fifa World Youth Championship in 1989 and then again on home soil in 1991. After a period of stagnation post - Eusebio Portugal was producing players with serious ability. Victor Baia and Fernando Couto provided a solid spine, Nuno Gomes a threat in front of goal and flair players were in strong supply with Joao Pinto, Sergio Conceicao and Rui Costa who gave the side an extra dimension in the No. 10 role. Top of the class was Luis Figo, blessed with a precise delivery which would carve open the world’s finest teams in due course.

 

 

Figo was perhaps the only player of the pack capable of sliding straight into any side in the world. Carlos Queiroz, coach of Real Madrid at the time, said of Figo in 2003 - "You could put Figo in a phone booth with 11 opponents and he would find his way to the door. He'd beat them all and dribble his way out". His drilled effort at Euro 2000 was a reminder to English fans that there was a player outside the Premier League capable of matching David Beckham's talent. A well deserved Ballon d'Or confirmed Figo's brilliance in December of the same year.

 

 Pig’s heads and Barcelona fans aside Figo is held in high regard by the footballing world and his stature has only improved since retirement. Still playing in 2003, Figo set up the Luis Figo Foundation, inspiring Victor Baia to set up his own foundation in 2004. Both foundations seek to help children realise their potential as individuals and citizens through sport.

 

 By day Figo acts as an ambassador for Inter Milan. With the slicked black hair, crisp suits and an uncanny resemblance to Jose Mourinho Figo’s role consists of attending functions across the globe, promoting the Inter Campus Initiative. Labelled a non-profit social project the initiative runs in 25 countries serving a similar purpose to Figo's own foundation.

 

 

Equally fascinating and admirable is Figo's ambassadorial support for the Stop TB Partnership. Part of the global fight against tuberculosis, one of his contributions was to have himself fictionalised in comic books. The story follows Figo and a group of teenage girls and boys, who defeat a team of tuberculosis germs. Married with three daughters Figo may never see a son of his own continue his legacy. But his refreshing enthusiasm to take on numerous projects is a measure of the man. Witnessing one of the underprivileged youngsters from his foundation cut the mustard at a professional level would be, one suspects, just as gratifying for Figo.

 

 The Golden Generation came close to silverware on a number of occasions. France, inspired by Zinedine Zidane overcame Portugal and an incensed Abel Xavier at Euro 2000. In Germany six years later Zidane’s penalty made the difference once more. It was England who were the fall guys for a team who, led by Figo, were desperate to progress to the latter stages of Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, fully aware that time was catching up with them. Rui Costa's exquisite effort, hammered past David James at 91 kmph left England shell-shocked in 2004. The goal would have been the difference but for Frank Lampard's equaliser.

 

 

Praise for Rui Costa has never been short in supply. Named in Pele's somewhat dubious Fifa 100, which included El-Hadji Diouf amongst others, Rui Costa's reputation landed him a role as Director of Football at his beloved Benfica immediately after his professional retirement. Currently continuing the role, Rui Costa determines the manager and players that arrive at Benfica, a powerful position for a former player with no previous experience. His purchases have helped Benfica and Portugal keep up with the rest of Europe. The signings of Ramires and Javi Garcia were vindicated by a first league title in five years and both players have since moved on for large fees.

 

 Fernando Couto has achieved relative success since retiring too. Handed the Director of Football role at Braga in 2010, he was appointed assistant manager at the beginning of the season. Aspirations to disrupt the status quo of Rui Costa's Benfica and Porto at the top of the Portuguese league may well see the ambitious Couto take over managerial duties.

 

 The Golden Generation have all retired gracefully bar Nuno Gomes, who is chasing a final pay check at Blackburn. Their stature at an international level has elevated the likes of Figo, Rui Costa and Fernando Couto to promising positions within club football. Still, the Golden Generation’s continuing influence on Portuguese football is unsurprising. Their hunger for success, installed at an early age, was always going to serve the players well upon retirement.

 

 

Figo knows how to carry himself, having led by example for Portugal and rumours continue to circulate that he will replace his old international adversary Zidane in a technical role at Real Madrid. Having surrounded himself with gifted players throughout his career Rui Costa’s eye for talent is beginning to come to the fore at Benfica.

Portugal have unprecedented faith in their former stars. Joao Pinto, another member of the Golden Generation works closely with the national side. With the rapid and successful promotion of former international stars Pep Guardiola, Oliver Bierhoff and Laurent Blanc to posts at both a club and national level this approach appears to be working. England – take note.