FIGO: I WOULD HAVE SHARED AWARD WITH RAUL

Sections of the Spanish media had claimed that it was the striker, rather than the Portuguese legend that deserved the award.

Figo countered: "We are such good friends that I wouldn't mind sharing the prize with him or even that he had been the winner.

"I knew that I could win the prize, which for me is already a privilege.

"Deep down, I had the hope of winning, but Raul and Beckham also had it because they had worked enough to get it.

"I can't allow them (the Catalunyan press) to not give merit to my triumph and that they put in doubt my professionalism.

"Whoever wants to play in a club as big and prestigious as Real Madrid and for his national squad, has to have the maximum pride of any football player and can't lose the motivation.

"I keep going with the same ambition of winning everything."