Figo heads Portugal's all-star cast of big-names which includes Rui Costa, Paulo Bento and Fernando Couto, who are the remaining members of the "golden generation'' who once promised so much but have delivered so little on the big international stage.

Couto and Bento are now pushing 34 and Figo is 32 this year and has already announced that the Euro 2004 finals will signal the end of his international career which has yielded 100 caps.

So it will be the final farewell to Costa, Couto, Bento and Figo who were dubbed the closest thing to Brazil when they won the World Youth Championship in 1989 and 1991.

But despite them all having magnificent careers for their clubs, Portugal have been one of the biggest underachievers in international football.

They bombed out of the last World Cup without even getting out of the group stage and their biggest highlight has been reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2000 when they lost to eventual winners France.

But now Figo believes Portuguese manager Luiz Felipe Scolari may finally turn their band of talented and skilful individuals into a successful and winning team.

Scolari - dubbed Big Phil - of course led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 and his appointment has given Portugal belief that they can finally fulfil their potential.

And there would be no better place to do it for national hero Figo than on home turf as they prepare for the big kick-off against Greece in the tournament curtain-raiser on June 12.

Figo said: "The expectation will be huge but we can use this as our driving force because the support we will get from our own fans will also be crucial to our chances.

"We know that we have not always had the success that maybe our talent has deserved but luck always plays a part and we have had important decisions go against us in the last two major tournaments which have ended in disappointment.

"But this is our time. The thought that this may be the last chance for many of us will give the whole team extra incentive and extra energy.

"We have always had the talent - there is no doubting that. But now we must pull together as a team for the tournament.

"We have experience in the squad and with the manager and that will be so important for us. It has been painful in the past but we must use that as our energy."

Scolari has now put together a mix of experience and also youth with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo ready to play a big part. Ronaldo has not always seen eye-to-eye with strict disciplinarian Scolari and has not helped himself by missing recent friendlies which has become a trait among all United players. But Scolari now believes he has enough in his squad to be ready for the challenge of getting out of a tough Group A which also includes Spain and Russia.

The match with Spain is already being heralded as one of the most anticipated of the tournament. "I have more or less defined what I want. We have to work on integration now," said Scolari before the team's friendly here against Italy. "I can guarantee that the Portuguese squad is today almost like a family, with the normal difficulties that a family has."

But Scolari also acknowledges that it will be the "golden generation's'' last chance of success and he admits Portugal will miss Figo's influence after Euro 2004.

Scolari added: "The responsibility of the performance of Portugal will always be on Figo's shoulders and not on the entire team.''