Luis Figo became just the second Portuguese player ever to win the Ballon d'Or when he scooped the award in 2000.
The winger was coming off one of the most controversial transfers in the history of football as he crossed the Clasico divide, becoming the most expensive player in the history of football in the process.
While Figo became public enemy No 1 in Catalonia for the manner of his departure from the Camp Nou, it was hard to argue that he wasn't a worthy winner of the award.
During his final season at Barcelona he would reaffirm his status as the greatest player in world football, despite the Blaugrana underperforming as a whole.
Meanwhile Real would go on to capture their 28th La Liga title that year, in a campaign that would mark the beginning of the Galactico era under new president Florentino Perez.
While Figo led the voting with 197 points, Zinedine Zidane would finish a narrow second place on 181.
The Frenchman - who would go on to join Figo in the Spanish capital the following summer - had led Les Bleus to victory at Euro 2000 just months earlier, and was named UEFA's Player of the Tournament.
The likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Thierry Henry and Rivaldo would all also feature in the top ten.
But who makes up the full list? Read on to find out.
Ballon d'Or 2000 Rankings
- 10. Paolo Maldini - AC Milan
- 9. Raul - Real Madrid
- 8. Gaizka Mendieta - Real Madrid
- 7. Gabriel Batistuta - Roma
- 6. Rivaldo - Barcelona
- 5. Alessandro Nesta - Lazio
- 4. Thierry Henry - Arsenal
- 3. Andriy Shevchenko - AC Milan
- 2. Zinedine Zidane - Juventus
- 1. Luis Figo - Barcelona, Real Madrid
