Top facts about Fernando Redondo, The Prince

Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri is an Argentine former footballer who was born on June 6, 1969.

Fernando Redondo’s age

is 52. Here you can find out the most important facts about Fernando Redondo, the great midfielder of his own era, one who showed us what magic looks like on the pitch

He won two La Liga titles and as many Champions League trophies with the former club, as well as the 2003 Champions League with the latter.

In the 1990s, he was part of the

, playing in the 1994 World Cup and capturing the 1992 King Fahd Cup and 1993 Copa América.

When you hear Fernando Redondo’s name, the first thing that comes to mind is that outrageous and mesmerizing piece of skill at Old Trafford. He was a true prince of Madrid not only on the pitch, but also outside of it.

Alex Ferguson once commented on his performance after a match in the Champions League, “Redondo must have a magnet in his boots, he was fantastic, unbelievable. He had one of those games. Every time we attacked and the ball came out of their box, it fell at his feet. Every time!”

In the season 1999-2000, Redondo was named best player of the Champions League and he was considered one of the best players in the world.

Top facts about Fernando Redondo:

The first

fact about Fernando Redondo

is that he was a defensive midfielder who could also perform offensively and artistically. He spent a decade in La Liga, mostly with

, before finishing his career (which was cut short by numerous injuries) with AC Milan in Italy.

Fernando Redondo early life

Redondo was born into an engineering family and had a privileged childhood, eventually going on to study law at university throughout his playing career.

Speaking about

Fernando Redondo’s childhood

, it is worth mentioning that he took his first steps in a futsal team, in the neighborhood club Deportivo y Social Villa Calzada, located in Rafael Calzada, where he is remembered with photos and paintings of the magic 5. He then went on to play at Talleres de Remedios de Escalada.

Speaking about

Fernando Redondo’s parents

, it should be mentioned that at age 10, his father took him to try Argentinos Juniors, where he played in lower divisions.

He would finally make his debut at the age of 16, on September 29, 1985 at the hands of José Yudica, against Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata.

Fernando Redondo personal life

A notable fact about Fernando Redondo is that his sons Federico and Fernando Jr. are also football players, and he wedded the cousin of fellow footballer Santiago Solari. The couple have two children.

Redondo, an enthusiastic reader, named Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel Garca Márquez as two of his favorite writers.

Fernando Redondo professional career

Fernando Redondo debuted in Argentinos Juniors first team at the very young age of 15 and after five years, he moved to Spain just like Maradona did. His destination was CD Tenerife where he met Jorge Valdano.

Together they managed to deny Real Madrid a La Liga title on the last match day in two consecutive seasons (91/92 and 92/93). On both occasions, Barcelona were the eventual La Liga champions. When Jorge Valdano was named Real Madrid's coach in 1994, he brought Fernando Redondo with him to Madrid.

In 1990, Redondo declined a National team call up under the pretence that he has important exams which he cannot miss, but the truth was that he refused to play under Bilard. Four years later, his hopes of a glorious triumph with Argentina were destroyed by Diego Maradona. He got expelled from the tournament after failing a drug test

Fernando Redondo club career

Redondo, who was born in Adrogué, Buenos Aires Province, made his Primera División debut at the age of 16 with Argentinos Juniors and stayed with the club for five years before going to Spain.

Tenerife

An important fact about Fernando Redondo is that he made his La Liga debut with CD Tenerife, managed by fellow countryman Jorge Solari. During this time, Real Madrid twice lost the league championship to arch-rivals

on the last day of the campaign, in games versus Tenerife, who were managed by Jorge Valdano, who also moved to Real Madrid for a price of US$5 million when the coach was hired in the summer of 1994.

Real Madrid

A notable fact about Fernando Redondo is that he spent the most of his career with Real Madrid, where he won two league titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1998 and 2000.

His efforts earned him the contest's Most Valuable Player title during the latter competition's second successful season, with new coach Vicente del Bosque using him in a midfield partnership with Steve McManaman.

He dribbled past Henning Berg by backheeling the ball around him, convalescing it, and assisting Raul for his side's third goal (3–2 win, 3–2 on aggregate) in the quarter-finals against

at Old Trafford.

Opponent boss

said after the game, "What does this player have in his boots?" “A magnet?” you may wonder.” He was named the Champions League and UEFA Club Player of the Year footballer of the year as a result of his efforts

An important fact about Fernando Redondo is that he acquired the moniker El Principe during his stay in Madrid ("The Prince"). He was nominated to the "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history" by daily newspaper Marca in April 2013, and to the club's all-time XI four years later by its readers; he played in 268 games and scored 12 goals in the Spanish top division over a decade.

Milan

In a contentious £11 million transfer to Serie A team

in 2000, Redondo claimed that he was not engaged in transfer negotiations and indicated his wish to remain at Real Madrid.

As a result, a group of Real Madrid fans assembled outside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to demonstrate against the deal. He sustained a severe knee injury in one of his first practice sessions for his new club, and was unable to play for the following 2+12 years; he stopped his £2.74 million annual pay, and even attempted to return the home and vehicle that the Milan board had given him.

An important

fact about Fernando Redondo

is that he did play a part in Milan's victories in the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, making a total of 16 league appearances, five in the 2002–03 Champions League, and six in the Coppa Italia, including the two-legged final. Following another knee injury, he retired from professional football in late 2004 at the age of 35.

Fernando Redondo international career

A notable fact about Fernando Redondo is that he made 29 appearances for Argentina, the majority of which were between 1992 and 1994, while Alfio Basile was the manager. On June 18, 1992, he made his debut in a 2–0 friendly victory against Australia.

Just before the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Redondo turned down a call-up to the national squad, which was coached by Carlos Salvador Bilardo. The athlete excused himself because he didn't want to disrupt his legal studies, but he was also said to be critical of Bilardo's defensive tactics.

 "I was selected for Argentina's World Cup team in 1990, but I knew I wouldn't be in the starting line-up, I'd simply be another squad member, so I chose to remain at home," Redondo later said.

A notable fact about Fernando Redondo is that he started all of Argentina's matches at the 1994 World Cup, although he was unable to prevent Argentina from losing 2–3 to

in the round of 16.

Following the competition in the United States, he declined to play for Daniel Passarella, who had prohibited long hair, jewelry, and homosexuals from his team, causing many players to disagree.

When the former refused to shave his hair as the latter demanded, he was left off of the national squad, with even Diego Maradona and President Carlos Menem taking sides in the dispute.

"Twice he was invited to participate for the national team and twice he declined and provided a different explanation each time," Passarella said of Redondo's exclusion from his 1998 World Cup squad. Then he openly said that he did not want to play for Argentina, and I do not choose any player who does not want to represent Argentina."

"I was in fantastic shape," the player subsequently stated. However, dad had his own views about discipline and insisted that I have my hair chopped. I couldn't understand how it had anything to do with football, so I declined once again."

Redondo was recalled to Argentina's national team for two exhibition matches against Brazil in 1999, while Marcelo Bielsa was the manager.

Despite being named Player of the Match in the 2–0 win in Buenos Aires, he declined any further call-ups, choosing to concentrate on club football; in 2015, he was named to the Argentine Football Association's all-time squad.

Fernando Redondo style of play

A graceful deep-lying playmaker who positioned himself in front of the defense, His creative passing, vision, skill, and tight control with his left foot, as well as his ability to manage the pace of his team's play in midfield, made Redondo a vital component of the Real Madrid side of the 1990s.

Despite his lack of speed, he had excellent acceleration and was an effective and aggressive tackler who contributed just as much on defense as he did on offense.

An important

fact about Fernando Redondo

is that despite being considered as one of his generation's best midfielders, his tenure was also plagued by injuries, particularly in his later years.

Fernando Redondo legacy and glory

Ancient Roman academics believed that every man has a genius, a guardian angel who blesses the home, guarantees its success, and defends it from evil spirits and danger. In fact, the contemporary use of the term refers to something completely different: an extraordinary creative force or natural talent that propels progress in a certain area. Both criteria are met by the best midfielder in Real Madrid's modern history.

It was just a matter of time before he was recognized. He stood out even as a kid, wiry yet commanding, little but powerful. Fernando didn't have much speed or strength, but his technique was glacial, and his decision-making was implacable. Every move was calculated and calculated again, each dip into space the result of a choice made two seconds before everyone else.

The fact that Redondo won an international title five months before making his professional debut tells a lot about him. He was the top player on an Argentina squad that won the coveted Under-16 South American tournament in April 1985.

He had outshone

's brother Hugo in a 3-2 win against Brazil in front of 40,000 spectators at the Estadio José Amalfitani, and then proceeded to make a valedictory address to pitchside media after the game. The TV cameras couldn't help but be attracted to this bright adolescent on the verge of becoming a legend.

It came as no surprise, therefore, when Redondo made his professional debut against Gimnasia in September. Coach José Ydica substituted him for Armando Dely Valdés thirty minutes into the game.

Unfazed by the occasion, the teenager put in a composed, mature performance in the 1-1 draw that followed, although he would not become a regular first-team player until Sergio Batista's move to River Plate in 1988.

Redondo would later tell writer Daniel Balmaceda that the ideal of an Argentine player has to be "skilled, gifted, and with character. A winner who perseveres in the face of adversity. Intelligent, and he understands how to play the game.”

He had summed up the characteristics that had made him the top name on the Argentinos teamsheet without even attempting. Every analyst and observer knew by 1990 that he was ready to make the move to Europe.

By failing to give contract extensions to its players at the conclusion of the season, the Argentinos had unintentionally helped grease the wheels. As a consequence, the whole team was let go. Except for one, they all returned, much to the satisfaction of the club's management.

Jorge Solari, the uncle of future Real Madrid winger Santiago and a renowned player and manager in his own right, had contacted Redondo after his appointment as manager of Tenerife in La Liga. The islanders were keen to create a team capable of reaching the European spots after narrowly avoiding relegation the previous year.

The young midfielder drew all attention, and not only because of his beautiful brown hair that cascaded over his shoulders. Redondo was a number 5, but not in the conventional meaning of the word.

He was a space digger, excavating pockets of pitch with a flick of his wrist or a backheel chisel. His grace was balanced with a winner's attitude and a simmering combative streak as he glided over the Canarian field, almost feminine in appearance.

He had even gotten into a confrontation with an enraged opponent during a match against Osasuna, sending him falling to the ground before tossing a clump of grass in his direction and ordering him to "eat, donkey!"

Despite all of the expenditure, Tenerife was unable to climb above the middle of the league. The lone highlight of the next year was a title-clinching victory against Real Madrid on the last day. Solari had been fired at that point, and Jorge Valdano had taken his position.

Redondo was a constant presence in the midfield, the lynchpin of an energetic and creative attack. Valdano subsequently said, "If there's one thing I have to say to him, it's that he's one of the rare players who can accomplish with their feet what they think with their brains. He's the only player I've ever desired to have on my team.”

It was only logical that when he took the Real Madrid position in the summer of 1994, he would bring Redondo with him. No surprise that the new number 6 for the Madrileos became an immediate fan favorite at the Bernabéu. Matrimony between a club and a player has seldom seemed so natural. Redondo's approach was all about elegance and refinement, and his abilities were spotless, even royal.

Because of this, plus his movie-star looks, international teammate Diego Simeone dubbed him El Principe at a tournament in Saudi Arabia two years ago. With Redondo reigning benignly over La Liga's footballing serfs, it was a suitable moniker. He looked more like a bride on a wedding day, vowing eternal love to the ball at his feet, with his long, straight hair and all-white attire.

Valdano's Real team, unsurprisingly, won the championship at the first attempt. The game was beautiful at moments, with Iván Zamoráno and Michael Laudrup benefiting from Redondo's vision and precision from long range.

The league championship was nice, but a weight hung ominously over Real Madrid's neck. For three decades, they had been denied the Champions League title. Despite his domestic success, Valdano was unable to break the code and left halfway through his second season.

Fabio Capello, his replacement, had also struggled, despite winning another league title. Real's reputation was on the verge of being damaged by the start of the 1997/98 season. How could a team known for its success fail to win the Champions League so miserably?

It was a concern for Redondo as well. He had been a key member of Capello's squad, with the Italian praising a player he described as "tactically flawless." However, one world-class player does not constitute a team.

While Real Madrid failed on the biggest stage, AC Milan, led by Silvio Berlusconi, surged to the top. The Italians currently have five European Cups, compared to six for the Spaniards. Real Madrid's dismal domestic campaign suggested nothing in the way of opposition, threatening a new hegemony.

Even when his team advanced through the final stages against Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, manager Jupp Heynckes was almost certain to be fired. Redondo had been outstanding in the first leg against Matthias Sammer's defending champions, sparking a 2-0 win on his own.

Finalists, on the other hand, Juventus had superior talent in every area, including players, tactics, and management. Real's nail-biting players skulked the hallways of their hotel on the eve of the final in Amsterdam, staying up until 4 a.m. in the lobby swapping tales. They persuaded themselves that they weren't scared, that they were ready to put a bad season behind them.

Manolo Sanchs subsequently acknowledged to ESPN that the 1998 Champions League final was "probably the most significant game in Real Madrid's history."

That's not to suggest the others weren't, but the club had waited 32 years. Throughout that period, the thirst among fans, players, and the club had grown, and you can understand our excitement when the day arrived.”

Redondo was up against perhaps the most difficult task of all. Zinedine Zidane, who, with Ronaldo, was the greatest player in the world at the moment and would soon lead France to World Cup victory, was his direct opponent. The Argentine tried to control him in the first half, panting as Zidane summoned all of his abilities.

Redondo, on the other hand, gradually established a footing, softly confining his opponent until there was no more air for Zidane to breathe. Real Madrid's resolve increased as the Frenchman's confidence faded. Predrag Mijatovi scored the goal that got the team back to the Promised Land after 67 minutes.

The celebrations that followed drew half a million people into the streets of Madrid. For club president Lorenzo Sanz, who was elected in 1995 on the promise of European success, it was a night of vindication.

It also served as rationale for the millions he spent on signing players like Roberto Carlos,

, and Davor uker. But, for the most part, it was a chance encounter with destiny. After decades of longing and struggle, Real Madrid, the European Cup champion, had regained its heritage. Redondo had been in the center of it all, unselfish in his devotion to the cause.

Del Bosque had done a lot to revitalize the locker room, but the results were still lacking. Real had suffered humiliating home losses to Valencia and fierce rivals Atlético Madrid before Christmas. The team had struggled in the group rounds of the Champions League, having been beaten twice by

.

Most Madridistas resigned themselves to another year of misery when they were drawn in the quarter-finals against championship holders Manchester United. The anxiety was heightened by a goalless draw in the first leg at home. They were given 66-1 odds by some bookmakers to advance.

To argue that history was created in a single instant is reductive. We are all aware that events are affected by a variety of variables; a web of often unconnected occurrences that collide to create art, love, and even time itself. However, one moment in particular from the second leg at Old Trafford has an unmistakable weight.

It's something you're already aware of. You imagine the slick of Redondo's hair as he sprints towards the touchline with 52 minutes gone, conjuring up the visitors' black and gold shirt in your mind's eye. You can picture Henning Berg skillfully shutting the door.

For the first time all night, Real's number six had nowhere to go. True, what occurs next is partly instinctive, but it also encapsulates Redondo's most remarkable qualities.

His unrivaled placement and heavenly skill; his subtle confidence and incomprehensible guts. Attempting to explain El Taconazo (The Heel) in words does not do credit to the phenomena; only YouTube recordings, which are widely shared on April 19 each year, come close. This was the one moment, from one player, in one match, that summed up a whole club's mentality.

It didn't matter whether you were Henning Berg, Roy Keane, or

; it didn't matter if you were the reigning European champions, coached by the most successful coach in modern history. Redondo reminded the world that Real Madrid was the only show in town at one spectacular moment.

As he raced to the byline, rolling a brilliant pass to Raul, the whole stadium went insane: 3-0 on the night, and one of football's finest moments recorded in all its floodlit splendor.

Real faced a side that had previously scored eight goals against them that season in the semi-finals. Stefan Effenberg, Ottmar Hitzfeld, and

were Teutonic scions out for vengeance following a devastating final loss the previous season. Their wishes, however, would not be satisfied on this occasion.

Redondo was one of 11 captains that played in front of 95,000 fans at the Bernabéu. Real's metamorphosis under Del Bosque and the impact of his on-field lieutenant were on display in the semi-final performance. Each player pursued and battled, firing salvos from the safety of Redondo's calming presence in the center of the field.

Valencia posed one more stumbling block. They were younger, fitter, and in greater shape, with Gaizka Mendieta on the verge of winning the UEFA Midfielder of the Year award. Despite his age and the fact that he had previously completed many exams, Redondo had time for one more lesson.

Fernando Morientes' first goal essentially ended the game. Héctor Cper's guys, who were always defensive and harsh, didn't know how to take the game to their masters. Los Blancos became European champions for the seventh time in their history, thanks to two more goals from McManaman and Raul.

Perhaps it is oversimplifying to suggest that Redondo's tenure with the club came to an end when Sanz lost the presidential election that summer. Los Merengues, with all their politicking, backstabbing, and favor-currying, may have fallen to a new low by dumping their finest player, the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, in the off-season.

Redondo, on the other hand, never left Madrid. He is not going anywhere. His magnificence lingers in the sparkling Bernabéu's arched halls.

His charisma still pervades the renowned old pitch, with his name remembered in every world-class signing, every first-place finish, and every Real captain who gets to hoist the Champions League. His memory lives on in the hearts, thoughts, and trophy cases of Real Madrid fans.

Fernando Redondo social media

Regarding

Fernando Redondo social media

, it should be mentioned that he does not have any active pages on any social media platforms.

Fernando Redondo body measurements

Speaking about

Fernando Redondo body measurements

, it should be mentioned that the former playmaker is 6 ft 1 in (186 cm) and weighs 165 lb (75 kg).

Fernando Redondo net worth and salary

Fernando Redondo's net worth

is believed to be in the range of $4 million to $5 million dollars. From his main profession as a soccer player, he has amassed a substantial fortune.

Plus, during his glory days as a top football player, he had personal endorsements with a number of companies which were great sources of revenue for him.

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