Real Madrid player Luis Figo said Wednesday he is "proud" of his former team Sporting Lisbon in spite of having lost against CSKA Moscow in the final of the UEFA Cup.

"I believe Portugal and the fans of the team should be proud for Sporting did what they could," said Figo who witnessed the match in Jose de Alvalade Stadium, at this capital.

"Soccer is like this, though. You suffer more as a fan than as a player. What matters is the history of this great team," said the Real Madrid player.

Figo, who announced his intention to return to the national team of Portugal, played for Sporting since 1985, when he was 12.

Ten years later he went to Barcelona and from there, in 2000 to Real Madrid.