LUIS Figo will not play top-level football after his contract with Inter Milan finishes at the end of the 2006-2007 season.

Inter Milan's Luis Figo runs to the ball during his Italian Serie A soccer match against Lazio at the Olympic stadium in Rome December 20, 2006. [Reuters]

"My top-level career will end in Italy," the Portuguese midfield player said in Lisbon, Portugal, overnight.

"That was my intention when I arrived in Italy two years ago.

"It's my decision. I decided a long time ago not to come back to play in Portugal."

"I stayed in Italy until the end of the season to win the championship and quit top-level football at the level I decided."

"That's why I didn't leave in January."

Figo has been linked with a post-season move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, although it was announced in December that he would join the club during the January transfer window.

Figo, however, said the move was anything but a done deal.

"I'm waiting to see if I go or not," he said.

"Any decision has to be taken carefully and thoughtfully."

Figo quit international football with 127 caps after Portugal finished fourth at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

He joined Inter in 2005 having previously worn the colours of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.