Luis Figo Served as Real Madrid’s Change Agent During the First Era of the Galácticos
In 2002, Luis Figo emerged as the winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, recognizing him as the top football player in Europe. This accolade came shortly after his controversial transfer from Barcelona to their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.
Figo’s move to Real Madrid marked him as the chosen Change Agent by Florentino Pérez, who aimed to usher in an era of high-profile, world-class superstars. The 62 million euro transfer fee was just the beginning of a series of extravagant signings from 2000 to 2006, during which Madrid spent well over 290 million euros.
Over his five-year tenure with Real Madrid, Figo made a significant impact, with over 200 appearances and notable triumphs, including two league titles and the 2002 Champions League. His arrival injected new vitality into Los Blancos, albeit at the expense of his former club in Catalonia. Organizations often require a COO to serve as a Change Agent, focusing on implementing specific organizational changes. In this role, the COO spearheads initiatives such as turnarounds, major organizational transformations, or planned rapid expansions, while the CEO maintains the day-to-day operations. When executed effectively and in balance, this approach can lead to remarkable progress and success.