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Exclusive Interview with Redondo in 2009 on Florentino, Raul, RM, Argentinian Football, Himself and More

So I came across this emotional interview with Fernando Redondo done in summer 2009. It is done exclusively with a Chinese website and I translated it because he is so silent nowadays that it's always nice to hear something from him, even if it comes from nine years ago & some contents regarding Real and Argentinian football are still a great read.
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1.
Did you doubt Maradona's ability as a coach when Argentina lost (in the WC qualifiers)?
No. I watched that Bolivia game. It was a heartbreaking result (6-1), but one cannot be a good coach if he doesn't know how to lose in football. My only worry at that moment was whether Diego would feel down and whether he could handle the pressure. What happened afterwards proves that Maradona is always Maradona, and he wouldn't be written off easily.
Despite his limited coaching experience?
Everyone starts from the scratch. Sánchez (ex-Mexican manager) did, Guardiola did, and del Bosque was only Real's Castilla manager before he got 3 trophies.
It seems like you are Maradona's absolute supporter?
Yes, especially when he loses or is having a bad streak.
Can you define Maradona?
Diego is the idol of mine and a lot of other Argentinian footballers. We love football and feel fulfilled because of him. We don't need to discuss him as a player anymore. After he retired, he always gives a lot of love towards Argentinian football and every young Argentinian player. It was the wisest choice to name him as the head coach of Argentina NT, because Diego himself is the emotional and technical support of this team. Diego gave the football world a special magic since the 1980s. 30 years later Diego is still "Maradona" before the next "Maradona" comes up.
Aren't Messi & Agüero "Maradona" enough?
Messi and Agüero are exceptional footballers with top-notch techniques, but they haven't reached Maradona; I personally find it very, very hard to do so. The reason is simple: Maradona is not replicable.
You said Diego cares a lot about Argentinian youngsters. Does it include Real Madrid's rookie, Higuain?
Of course.
It's heard that you recommended Real to buy Higuain?
Yes. Higuain is a very talented, diligent footballer. He proves it afterwards. I believe that he will be an essential player for Real.
However, it seems that Diego doesn't have the same faith in Higuain?
I don't think so. Diego and I talked about Pipita not long ago, and he absolutely didn't have that dismissive attitude heard in the media. He is just observing and waiting. As a friend of them both, I would try my best to facilitate this move which would be meaningful to our NT, Diego and Higuain.

2.
You have another match on Saturday?
Yes. It's hosted by Almeyda.
Do you guys play for the win or for the reunion?
Both, but I value the reunion more. We used to fight for each of our clubs, and reunite at the national team. Now we left the clubs and are not wanted by the NT, so it is hard for us to see each other. Almeyda did a good thing; he hosts matches for us to gather together all the time.
People say that Argentinian footballers are "cold" and stay away from media, camera and even avoid the fans after they retire. Is it true?
Perhaps, but they don't know the reasons behind this. One of the most important traits of Argentinian footballers is that they indulge so much passion into their career, that they are hurt by football for some extent. Therefore, they try extremely hard to find another environment after they stop to cool themselves down. They still love football deep inside their hearts.
Could you please give an example?
Sure. My good friend Caniggia used to swear to never touch football after he retired. He even stayed away from people pertinent to football. We barely contacted each other during that time, not knowing whereabouts of each other. There was one time that I asked him to attend a friend's testimonial. Not only did he refuse me instantly, but also attached "football is shit". A year ago, I was invited to watch a match by the youth team of Club Deportivo Tenerife. Suddenly I saw a familiar figure in the crowd, sitting in front of me. During the match, this person shouted and cursed non-stop, cheering for his cousin on the pitch. When he wasn't satisfied with cursing just in front of him, he turned around to curse and he saw me. We looked into each other's eyes for a long time, and then hugged each other very tight. He pulled my hair and I held his long hair (*both Redondo and Caniggia were refused by Argentinian NT because of their long hair). On that day Caniggia cried, and he accepted Almeyda's advice to re-enter football world the same day.
Why do you love long hair so much?
It's inexplicable. I had short hair before, but it really reduces your confidence on the pitch. Caniggia felt the same.
Do you still hate Passarella?
It is all the past. I was also too stubborn at that time. Hair can grow afterwards, but World Cup never comes again.
Someone says that in WC South Africa Argentinian NT finally will have Caniggia, but they still don't have Redondo?
They shouldn't say that. I have faith in the Argentinian NT to do well in the World Cup. Even they are young, the players are experienced with the big stages playing in top clubs like Real, Barca, Liverpool and Inter Milan. Adding Diego the leader of them since they were young, I believe that they can go far in the run.
Will you go to South Africa?
Yes, Diego has already invited me. I hope to get close to the NT this time, to cheer them up. Honestly, my heart never left the NT or football.

3.
Florentino is back. Does it make you uncomfortable?
Absolutely not. I should thank Florentino for the beautiful memories in San Siro. Also, I believe Florentino will learn from his mistakes in the past and bring a new stage for Real Madrid.
Did Florentino express anything to you?
He apologized to me via mutual friends. And he said that Makelele wanted to leave but Redondo didn't. To be honest, it is hard to be a president in Real, and I wish him all the best for his return.
Real splashed over 200 million on Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Alonso. Do you disagree with this?
I support all the people who spend in football, but I am opposed to behaviors solely for the sake of getting back the invested funds, diverting from football. Real Madrid does need a different way to build & to manage, but becoming a champion should be more important.
Do you still remember the young Raul asking for your signature?
Raul said it and no way I remember it. As someone witnessing Raul's road to success, I am proud to have had a supporter like him.
There are discussions on whether Raul should start everywhere, including polls.
I think these are boring. People concentrate on his age way too much than on his goals. I know Raul very well. He already suffered from being on the bench and not being able to get into the NT. The only thing he can do, and has learnt to do, is to go one more time, to try again to win the fans' and coaches' tests and choices.
Did Raul sound deep in pressure when you contacted him?
It's not the pressure, but the responsibilities. Raul has already said goodbye to several presidents and coaches, but he never belonged to anyone. He only belongs to Real Madrid. This is the reason why Raul can still be as diligent and focused as he was in Castilla, why he can continue to win the respect from his team, and why he doesn't want to let go of this responsibility.
You have young Argentinian Gago and Higuain on one side and the almighty Messi on the other. What do you think of el Clasico next season?
No wonder that the clash between Real and Barca would be the focus of the world next season. I think it would be extremely difficult for top clubs in Europe to beat Barca. Guardiola's team almost has no defects, and Real is the team that is most likely to beat Barca.
Can you describe the Redondo nowadays?
Older, and put on more weight. For whom it's a little difficult to play full 90-minutes. A person with a lot of beautiful memories, but also some regrets. One who is held in suspense for Real and Milan every weekend, and unable to do anything else when Argentina NT is having a game. For whom the greatest joy was to play in demonstration matches everywhere with Almeyda and other old players, to send our hearts to more fans. One day in the airport in Buenos Aires, a person whispered behind me: "Look! This person has the same hair as Redondo did in the past!" At that moment, I was also reminiscent of that Redondo in the past.