Makelele feared replacing Redondo and Fergie thought his boots had magnets

The midfielder was entering his peak years as part of Argentina's star-studded squad at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.

However, Diego Maradona's drug ban and a shock last-16 exit to Romania meant it was a tournament to forget for the two-time world champions.

Redondo had a fairly standard tournament but his international career was full of controversial moments.

Shortly after USA 94, then-Argentina head coach, Daniel Passarella, excluded him from the national team's squad for refusing to cut his hair. The fallout from this led to a series of disagreements which saw the midfielder play no part for Argentina at the next World Cup in France four years later.

And we should also mention he turned down the chance to play for Argentina shortly before Italia 90 in order to finish his law studies.

Nevertheless, he enjoyed a fine club career, playing for two of Europe's elite sides in Real Madrid and AC Milan for a combined ten years.

The Bernabeu was where he enjoyed most of his success, winning the league and Champions League twice each.

Redondo captained Real Madrid as they made light work of Valencia in the 2000 final but it was a fine piece of skill in the quarter-final win over Manchester United which was his most memorable contribution.

Facing the touchline on the left hand side of the pitch, Redondo got past Henning Berg as he cleverly back heeled the ball through the Red Devils defender's legs, creating room for himself to surge into the box and set up Raul for a tap in during the 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson wondered if he had magnets in his boots.

Described as 'tactically perfect' by Fabio Capello and understood to be idolised by Xabi Alonso, Redondo could do no wrong at Real Madrid - until Florentino Perez was elected as president in July 2000.

A matter of days later, Perez sold Redondo to Milan for £11.25million, against the player's will.

Redondo was so loved by Real Madrid fans that his replacement, Claude Makelele, has been quoted as likening replacing him as playing with a Molotov cocktail at his feet.

This was in reference to the numerous signs around the Bernabeu begging for his predecessor's return. 'Redondo is Madrid' they told their president in a demonstration outside the stadium following the sale. One banner even read: "We won't swap Luis Figo for Redondo."

But the deal was done and Redondo was a Milan player. However, a serious knee injury shortly after the move marked the beginning of his decline.

He had to wait more than two years to make his debut as a result but incredibly, Redondo waived his right to contracted salary, which is understood to have been around £2.5m.

The gesture moved Milan director Adriano Galliani to say: "Fernando is an incredible man, as well as an extraordinary player."

Redondo left Milan 2004 as he announced his retirement from playing. He achieved what many players could only dream of, yet there's a feeling of what might have been when looking back at the maverick Argentine's stellar career.

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