Luis Figo close to comeback

Inter to swoop for Maniche?

Veteran Portuguese winger Luis Figo is nearing a return to action with Italian champions Inter, following a spell on the sidelines with a broken fibula.

Figo suffered the fracture during a match against Juventus in November, but speaking from the team’s training camp in Dubai ahead of their participation in the Dubai Cup, the 35-year-old spoke of his eagerness to get back on the pitch.

“I’m feeling better, my fibula has healed, and there’s just a small muscular irritation because I have gone a long time without running or doing the work I usually do,” he said. “I want to return as soon as possible and make the best finish to the season.”

When his contract at the San Siro expires at the end of the season, Figo is widely expected to continue his career in the United States, with the former Sporting and Real Madrid man excluding the possibility of moving to Asia after a failed move to Saudi Arabia last year.

“There was a deal but unfortunately it didn’t turn out to be serious,” Figo explained when asked about the switch he expected to make last summer. “I had a bad experience with that situation and for me the doors are closed in this part of the world.”

“America? I don’t like talking about suppositions. I’m not considering this possibility at the moment because I have other things on my mind. I have to get fit, play these last six months and do my best in these last months in Italian football. After that we will see what happens.”

Maniche linked to Inter

While Figo is nearing the end of his spell with the Nerazurri, there has been much speculation in the Italian press that fellow countryman Maniche could be set to make the move to Inter from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.

“He’s a player I know, and his characteristics are those of a team player,” Figo said when questioned about his former international colleague. “He’s the type of player every team wants because he’s useful and he has quality.”

“Does he have a fiery temper? I have never had any problems with him in the national team. He had a bad experience in Russia, where he didn’t adapt well, but this doesn’t mean he’s an argumentative player. I think it’s good to have personality. It means you have the character to play well.”