Figo considering retirement

THERE are suggestions that Portuguese icon Luis Figo could prematurely retire from international football due to the criticism he and his team-mates have received in the wake of a disappointing World Cup showing.

The Portuguese nation and its media are astounded that their side could not progress through a group that looked relatively simple on paper.

Losses to the United States and South Korea spelled an early return home, and to compound the misery there have been allegations of match fixing and violence towards officials.

Figo was arguably one of the flops of the tournament - and certainly did not live up to his title as the Fifa World Player of the Year.

It appears that the player is considering taking early retirement from the Portuguese national side in the wake of the criticism - despite still only being 29-years-old.

The Real Madrid player - who is widely regarded as the best Portuguese player since the legendary Eusebio, played a major part in his country's qualification through a difficult group to the finals.

But as the man accused of offering a Korean player a draw that would see both sides qualify, troubled times lie ahead for the winger.