From O Jogo:

"Se o Figo dissesse hoje que quer jogar mais um ano, estaria comigo. É craque, é líder, é tudo aquilo que a gente deseja"

Porta escancarada: em declarações à Sport TV do Brasil, Luiz Felipe Scolari estendeu ontem a passadeira vermelha ao regresso de Figo à Selecção Nacional. "Se o Figo dissesse hoje que quer jogar mais um ano, estaria comigo. É craque, é líder, é tudo aquilo que a gente deseja", afirmou o treinador brasileiro, adiantando já total compreensão relativamente aos planos que o jogador do Inter pudesse ter para mais tarde. "Se me dissesse 'depois não jogo mais', tá bom". O importante, segundo Scolari, seria poder utilizar uma mais valia que a idade não perturba ainda. Os jogadores "de 34 ou 35 anos" podem ser muito úteis e o bilhete de identidade é coisa que se resolve "integrando jogadores mais jovens". "Se não for assim, nunca chegaremos a ter uma grande equipa ou um grupo que se faça respeitar", sentenciou o brasileiro

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"If Figo said today he wanted to play for another year, he'd be with me. He's a star, a leader, he's everything that people wish for.

Door ajar: in declarations to Sport TV in Brazil, Luiz Felipe Scolari stretched the red carpet out for the return of Figo to the National Team. "If Figo said today he wanted to play for another year, he'd be with me. He's a star, a leader, he's everything that people wish for." said the Brazilian coach, precipitating an understanding of any plans that the Inter player may have later on. "If he said "after this I play no more", that's fine". The important thing, according to Scolari, would be the the reasoning thta age does not come into it. Players of "34 or 35" can be very useful and your identity card (i.e. date of birth) is something you resolve by "integrating with younger players". "If things were not like that we would never get to a apoint of having a great team or a group that you can respect" decreed the Brazilian

desperate perhaps

Nice sentiments from Scolari. I don't think it's as crucial now though as it was in WC2006 to have Figo back. With Quaresma showing massive signs of producing at top level again, the emergence of Nani and the stable influence of Simao, I don't think it's required and would probably be a step back, though I would never be disgusted at thought of the great man wearing the shirt again.

Figo, Simao, Quaresma, Ronaldo, Nani...LOL is there a better group of wingers anywhere else?!?

It'd be beautiful to see him play for Portugal again but you're right, it'd be a step backwards more than anything else.

Desperate? What makes you think it's desperation? The current team has started steam-rolling it's group, we probably have the most talented batch of wingers in world football...I would hardly say it's desperation on Scolari...he's basically saying that he would always welcome someone like Figo as he always adds something, like leadership and inspiration,etc....

I don't sense any desperation though

Why not, he is Figo after all.

He's never been a liability in any way, for any team, even as his pace has declined he's made up for it in other ways, what a legendary player he is. It's such a pity that he's never won anything big with the NT.