Page "Fernando Redondo" Paragraph 5

The key years of Redondo's career were spent at Real Madrid, where he was twice league champion and won two UEFA Champions League medals ( in 1997 – 98 and 1999 – 2000 ).

It was during the second victorious campaign in Europe that Redondo arguably turned in his finest performances.

New coach Vicente del Bosque utilised him in a powerful midfield combination with Steve McManaman ; in the quarterfinals against Manchester United at Old Trafford, he was the author of a spectacular play in which he dribbled past defender Henning Berg by backheeling the ball around him, recovering it and assisting Raúl for Real Madrid's third goal ( 3 – 2 win, 3 – 2 on aggregate ).

Sir Alex Ferguson said after the game “ What does this player have in his boots?

A magnet ?” After winning the final against Valencia CF, he was named the competition's Most Valuable Player.