The Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football will premiere on Netflix on August 25

A documentary about the controversial and daring transfer that laid the groundwork for the future of modern football

Today Netflix announced the August 25 premiere ofThe Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football, a documentary feature directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas(Pelé) and produced by Pitch Productions.

The documentary film, which examines one of the most controversial deals in football history, reveals the in-depth testimonials of the main protagonists two decades after the transfer: Luís Figo (the film’s star who signed with Barcelona in 1995 and five years later left to join the team’s arch-rival, Real Madrid); José Veiga (Figo’s agent during most of his career and the person who negotiated the agreement); and Florentino Pérez (who inaugurated his presidency with the audacious transfer).

The Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football is the result of in-depth investigative work, with more than 30 hours of interviews with the 12 main protagonists. The documentary includes testimonials from some of the most important individuals in Spanish football, such as Joan Gaspart, Paulo Futre, Pep Guardiola, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, Jorge Valdano, José Ramón de la Morena, José Félix Díaz and Toni Frieros. It also contains archival footage that has never been seen in Spain and Portugal, including photos from Figo’s personal collection during his time at Barcelona and his vacation in Sardinia the summer of 2000.

“Given the amount of media coverage it had at the time, it’s a story people think they know well or have preconceived ideas about, but we were amazed at the twists, turns and emotional depth we discovered while making the film. It’s increasingly hard to find a sports documentary that is saying something new – that isn’t simply a biography or recounting of sporting success or failure – but we believe The Figo Affair is unique. By focussing on the transfer rather than Figo’s career, the film informs us about truth, greed, morality and an entire sport in the process – this is the birth of football as an amoral big business over romantic notions of loyalty; not to mention the origin story of Florentino Pérez. It’s been a privilege to make this film and, following the launch of ‘Pelé’ last year, we’re thrilled to be working with Netflix again on another huge sporting story”

David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, directors of The Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football

Synopsis of The Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football

Luís Figo was the most coveted player in world football when he took to the balcony of the gothic Palau de la Generalitat, the home of Catalonia’s president, on a balmy summer’s evening in 1998. Wearing his club suit, with his hair dyed blue and red, he celebrated Barcelona’s latest league title in front of a delirious crowd by grabbing the microphone and chanting: “blancos, llorones; felicita las campeones!” “Real Madrid, you cry- babies, hail the champions!” Two years later he took to the field at the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s stadium, wearing the white of Real Madrid. He was the first player to join Real’s fabled “Galacticos” revolution. He was the most expensive and best-paid footballer in the world. He was the most hated man in Catalonia.

With access to Luís Figo and the men who brokered the deal that shattered the transfer record, divided a nation and shaped modern football; The Figo Affair reveals the engrossing story of how his move came to pass, a twisting tale of backroom deals, a truly historic sporting rivalry, a deep cultural divide, and a pig’s head.

About Pitch Productions

Overseen by COO, Jonathan Rogers; Creative Director, David Tryhorn; Head of Development, Max Dobbyn; and Head of Production, Marie Denise-Dormis, Pitch Productions has cultivated a reputation for gaining intimate, illuminating access to some of the most notable athletes on the planet

Pitch are the producers of acclaimed high-end sports documentaries including, Kenny, All or Nothing: Brazil, Andy Murray: Resurfacing, Dan Carter: The Perfect 10, and Netflix’s Pelé and Neymar: The Perfect Chaos biopics.