Retiring Portuguese legend Luis Figo has thanked Inter Milan for the final years of his career.

"I lived here in Milan for the best four years of my whole career," confessed Figo. "The kind of affection I received at Inter was incredible. I want to thank everybody here at the club. These are the things you keep inside for the rest of your life.

"I would also like to apologise for those occasions when I failed to give my best. The relationship with the club will continue even now that I have retired. I am yet to decide what I will do when I get 'old' but I have decided to spend more time with my family after a long career."

At San Siro, Figo encountered difficulties with Roberto Mancini but once the Italian tactician left everything worked perfectly.

"Mourinho's arrival gave me the chance to end my career at the highest level. I didn't sign a contract which said that I had to be a regular at all times, but in the dressing room everybody is the same.

"I knew he appreciated me so I could restart from zero. It's not nice to be in a place where you are just a second choice. I don't like to stay in a club just to earn money. Mou has won everything in his career and I hope he will make Inter stronger. With Mancini I had a professional relationship," explained the former Barcelona man.

"I left Real Madrid because I had one year left on my contract and I wasn't playing. I was unhappy in Spain and didn't care about their money. I felt I could still give a lot to football and that's why I chose Inter.

"I am very happy with my career. I was lucky but I worked hard for everything that I have won," concluded the Portuguese.