Where are They Now: Fernando Redondo

Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri, Redondo played for Real Madrid for six years during which he scored 4 goals. The man known for ‘The Backheel of Trafford’ moved from Real to Milan in the year 2000.

Redondo made his debut in Spanish football playing for CD Tenerife under the management of former Real Madrid player Jorge Valdano. Twice during this period Real Madrid lost La Liga title to arch-rivals FC Barcelona on the final day of the season in matches against Tenerife. When Valdano was subsequently appointed manager of Madrid, Redondo made the move along with him for a fee of US$5 million dollars in 1994.

At Real Madrid, he spent the key years of his career, where he won the La Liga twice in 1995 and 1997, also adding two Champions League medals in 1997-1998 and 1999-2000. It was during the second Champions League victorious campaign that Redondo arguably turned in his finest performances. His contribution to a 3-2 quarterfinals victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford will live long in the memory of Madrid and United fans alike. He was the best player of the game, and was the author of a spectacular play (The backheel of Old Trafford), in which Redondo backheeled the ball through the legs of defender Henning Berg before recovering it and assisting Raúl for Real Madrid’s third goal. The performance is also of note because of the way Roy Keane, was completely overshadowed by Redondo’s display. Sir Alex Ferguson said after the game:

What does this player have in his boots? A magnet?

We went on to win the final against Valencia that season and Redondo was named the Champions League’s MVP.

In 2000, Redondo transferred to AC Milan in a highly controversial £11m move, which left many Madrid fans perplexed. Redondo was consistently injured, most notably with knee problems, during his first two seasons there, and in fact managed to injure his knee just three minutes into his first treadmill session. As he was unable to play for 2½ years due to consistent knee problems, he suspended his £2.74m-a-year salary, and even tried to give back the house and car which the Milan board had given him, showing great ethics and principles rarely seen in professional sports today.

In 2004, at the age of 34, Redondo retired from professional football following yet another knee injury. Following his retirement, he moved back to Buenos Aires to be closer to his family.

Redondo played for Argentina 29 times, the bulk of his appearances coming during the years 1992-1994.

What a player!

Hala Madrid!!