LISBON: A rejuvenated Luis Figo has come out of retirement to lead Portugal's World Cup campaign in what promises to be an emotional last hurrah for the most prominent member of the "Golden Generation."

The 33-year-old announced he was taking an indefinite break from international football in August 2004, just one month after he led hosts Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, where they lost 1-0 to Greece.

But Portuguese football chiefs never awarded his number 7 jersey, hoping for his return, and in May 2005 the Inter Milan midfielder came back to the national team in time for World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Estonia.

"I'm here to help Portugal win. After a pause it feels like my first day," Figo told reporters before the squad's 2-0 home win over Slovakia where he was loudly cheered when he stepped on the pitch.

With his return, Figo became Portugal's most capped player with 118 appearances since 1991 and is their third-highest scorer with 31 goals.

Like many of Portugal's "golden generation" who won the world under-16 tournament in 1989 and the world under-19 title in 1991, Figo has won top club honours and has been named both European and World Footballer of the Year.

But success at the international level has eluded him and the June 9-July 9 World Cup in Germany is his last chance to win a major title.

At Euro 2004, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari regularly substituted Figo but is delighted to have him back.

"He's a great player and a great leader. He still has a lot to give, not only on the pitch," Scolari said shortly after Figo returned to the squad.

Figo began his career at Lisbon-based Sporting, where he stayed for six seasons, before moving to Barcelona, where his speed and frequent assists helped the Spanish side win successive league titles.

In July 2000, he made the most controversial move of his career when he transferred to Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid for a then world record US$56 million (45 million euros) in what is viewed as the team's first "Galactico" signing.

Figo helped Real Madrid win their first league title in four years during his debut season with the club, scoring nine goals, and played an important part in the team's 2002 European Cup and 2003 Spanish championship wins.

But in April 2005, Figo was relegated to the bench at Real Madrid and his relationship with then coach Wanderley Luxemburgo cooled.

Last August Figo, who was under contract with Real until June 2006, signed with Italian Serie A side Inter Milan a free transfer worth seven million euros where he has regained his form.

Source: China Daily