Forgotten man Redondo returns

By Paolo Menicucci

After a long night of injury, Fernando Redondo is finally ready to welcome a new day.

Testimonial appearance
The elegant Argentinian midfield player has not played a competitive match since the 2000 UEFA Champions League final, his final act in a Real Madrid CF shirt before joining AC Milan. After two years and three knee operations, however, the 33-year-old will enjoy a short run-out tonight in Zvonimir Boban's testimonial in Zagreb.

'Five or ten minutes'
While most inside the Maksimir Stadium will be there to celebrate Boban's achievements, news that Redondo's recovery is almost complete is worthy itself of a small celebration. According to Milan medical coordinator Jean-Pierre Meersseman, "Redondo will play five or ten minutes". A Milan team will play NK Dinamo Zagreb in the first part of the night's double bill which also pits Croatia's 1998 FIFA World Cup team against a Rest of the World XI.

Training in Belgium
Meersseman continued: "There won't be risks for his knee and within 15 days he will definitively return to train with his team-mates in Milanello." The journey back to fitness has taken Redondo most recently to Belgium, where Meersseman has assessed him. "He has been training extremely hard on sand and water and he's in great physical condition," he said. "He's been working on his strength, stamina and pace and has just started to train with the ball."

Two lost seasons
Redondo's troubles began in August 2000, less than a month into his stay at San Siro, when he damaged his right knee while running on a treadmill. The problem got worse and on 3 October that year he underwent cruciate ligament surgery in Varese, which ruled him out for the rest of the 2000/01 season. Further surgery in Madrid the following June failed to cure the problem and a third operation was required, meaning another lost season in 2001/02.

Declined salary
At this point, Redondo announced he wished to repay Milan's patience by declining payment of his salary until he had returned to full fitness. "I came to Milan to play and they will only have to pay me when I do just that," he said, foregoing his €4.9m annual salary.

'An incredible man'
The gesture earned the admiration of Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, who said: "I have never seen anything like it during my career as director. Fernando is an incredible man and I told him that we will wait for him until his contract expires at the end of 2002/03." Galliani added that Redondo had also offered to give up the car and house provided by the club, an offer Milan rejected.

MVP award
Redondo arrived in Europe in 1990, joining CD Tenerife from Argentinos Juniors. After appearing for Argentina in the 1994 World Cup, he moved to Madrid where he won winners' medals twice in both the Primera División and the Champions League. His form in the 1999/00 season prompted UEFA's panel of coaches to select him as the Champions League's most valuable player.

Real hope
Two years and five months after that second Champions League success, there is real hope of Redondo gracing Europe's premier club competition once again. And with Milan flying after three straight wins - generating hope of a real challenge this season from the five-times European champions - his long-awaited return could barely have been timed better.