'Special night' as Redondo returns

By María Bretones

Fernando Redondo knows better than most that there is no room for sentiment in football. Back in the summer of 2000, barely two months after playing a pivotal role in Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League triumph over Valencia CF, the elegant midfield player was hastily transferred to AC Milan.

Madrid fallout
At the time Madrid's incoming president, Florentino Pérez, implied that the 31-year-old Argentinian international had expressed a desire to complete the €8m move to Italy, leaving an incredulous Redondo to make a public announcement to the contrary.

Injury misery
With little or no time to say 'adiós' to his adoring public in Spain, Redondo was on his way to Milan and out of football for two seasons after rupturing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during pre-season training.

No resentment
Complications set in, leading to two further operations. Redondo did not return to competitive football until December 2002, but as he contemplates an emotional return to the Santiago Bernabéu for the Champions League Group C encounter against Madrid, 'the Prince' harbours no resentment towards his old club.

'Special night'
"I still feel something special for Madrid," Redondo said. "I'm still a fan and I can't wait to return and see my former team-mates even though it will be strange to see them wearing different colours from me. Having said that, it promises to be a special night that's for sure."

Devoid of bitterness
Despite professing an undying love for the team, Redondo could be forgiven for not holding the same feelings when it comes to the Madrid board, but he remains devoid of bitterness, even towards Pérez. "This is football and it has its own rules and maybe it was an end of an era for me," he said. "I would have liked to have left the club in a better way but I can't blame the president."

Mixed emotions
A Milan victory in Madrid could witness the world's most expensively assembled team crashing out of the competition before the knockout stage - a prospect that leaves Redondo with mixed emotions. "Obviously, we want to win but we don't want them out of the competition," he claimed. "In fact, I'd love to meet Madrid in the final and I'm convinced they'll qualify for the next round."

'Packed with stars'
Redondo, who still considers the current Primera División leaders the strongest side in Europe, admits that he would have enjoyed playing in the current side alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane. "It's packed with stars and I would have loved to have been part of it, but I've had my moment and I don't regret anything," he said.

Popular figure
He may be resurrecting his career in Milan, but Redondo remains a popular figure in the Spanish capital. "I've still got a house in Madrid," he said. "Each time I go there I realise I am not forgotten. Now I'll have a chance to say goodbye to the fans, which I couldn't do two years ago."

Milan debt
Although his heart still remains in Madrid, the former AA Argentinos Juniors and CD Tenerife star is well aware that his responsibilities are with his current club, who only last week extended his contract for another season. "I have gone through some rough moments, but I never thought of throwing in the towel," claimed Redondo. "Football is such a passion for me and I never wanted to end my career in a such a miserable way. I have a debt to pay to the Milan fans."