In July 2000, Figo made a surprising and controversial $60.1 million move to Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid. There had been a buy out clause in his contract at Barcelona, a new world record fee, which Real Madrid met. Figo became the new focus of the Barcelona–Real Madrid rivalry, with Barcelona fans feeling betrayed by his transfer and turned against him. His move to Madrid was huge because he was a star player at Barcelona, reliable and committed to the cause when wearing the Blaugrana jersey.
When Figo returned to Barcelona for the first time in a Real Madrid shirt on 21 October 2000, the noise at Camp Nou was deafening. There were banners hung around the stadium with the words; Traitor. Judas. Scum. Mercenary. Figo was mercilessly taunted throughout, and when he came out of the tunnel and ran on to the field the jeers of almost 98,000 Barcelona fans escalated, with a visibly shocked Figo putting his fingers to his ears. When the game, named El Clásico, started, every time Figo got the ball the noise rose with insults and missiles flying such as oranges, bottles, cigarette lighters and mobile phones. The regular corner taker for Madrid, Figo didn't take any corners at the Camp Nou to avoid being in close proximity to the fans. Barcelona were victorious, winning 2–0.
