4 November 1972 - Figo, The Pride Of Portugal

On 4 November 1972, Luis Figo, the 2000 Ballon d'Or winner and Portugal's all-time appearances leader, was born in Lisbon.

He started his professional career with Sporting in 1989, the same year that he appeared for Portugal at the U-17 World Cup in Edinburgh. Two years later, he played in every game as Portugal won the U-20 World Cup, scoring in the final's penalty shootout to beat Brazil. Later that same year, he earned his first senior cap.

While enjoying a tremendous club career that included five seasons with Barcelona (1995-2000), a controversial move to Real Madrid (2000-05), and four years with Inter Milan (2005-09), winning a total of eight league titles and one Champions League trophy, he starred for the national team during one of their most successful periods.

They reached the semifinals at Euro 2000, then, as hosts, finished as runners-up in 2004. Two years later, Figo captained them to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup before losing to France 1-0, after which he retired from international football with a record 127 appearances for Portugal.