Redondo Returns to the Pitch!
That headline appeared across major newspapers in England and much of Europe the following morning.
After two years away from competitive football, the former superstar had finally returned.
Almost overnight, supporters in England, Italy, and Spain turned their attention towards Manchester, the Red Rebels, and Fernando Redondo.
Only Granada Television possessed footage of New Manchester United's FA Cup third-round tie, which made its recording suddenly invaluable.
Broadcasters and newspapers across Europe scrambled to obtain clips of Redondo's final twenty minutes against Hartlepool.
On screen, much of his old elegance remained.
His movement was still composed and graceful.
Compared with the relentless pace of English football, Redondo looked slow.
Yet somehow, once he took control of possession, the entire match seemed to slow down with him.
During those final twenty minutes, New Manchester United completely controlled Hartlepool.
Every pass carried traces of the player Redondo had once been.
Nobody watching could seriously claim that he had returned to his physical peak.
That version of Redondo was gone.
But the player who appeared during those twenty minutes possessed something different.
Something uniquely his own.
There had only ever been one Fernando Redondo.
And football history was unlikely to produce another quite like him.
...
The attention quickly became overwhelming.
Reporters descended upon Newton Heath in enormous numbers, hoping to interview Mourinho or Redondo.
Every request was refused.
Instead, the club's press officer issued a carefully worded statement.
Redondo's injury had largely healed, but he was not yet ready for the demands of regular high-intensity professional football.
He still required time.
The club also asked the media to give both Redondo and New Manchester United some space.
He had been away from competitive football for two years.
The last thing he needed was unnecessary pressure.
With the excitement surrounding his return already reaching ridiculous levels, Mourinho left him out of the squad for the next league match.
New Manchester United faced Reading at Old Trafford.
Several key players had been rested during the FA Cup tie and returned fresh.
They were magnificent.
Kaká scored a hat-trick.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Robben, and Drogba were all outstanding.
Yet a surprising number of supporters and journalists left Old Trafford disappointed.
They had come specifically hoping to see Redondo.
He was not even on the bench.
After the match, Mourinho explained his decision.
"Fernando is almost thirty-four.
"It is unreasonable to expect him to play like the man he was at twenty-eight.
"He also went two full years without playing competitive football.
"What he needs now is not to recreate his past.
"He does not need to prove anything to supporters.
"He needs to take one step at a time, gradually adapt to professional football again, and enjoy whatever remains of his career."
A reporter immediately asked, "Does that mean you don't intend to rely heavily on him?"
Mourinho smiled.
"I admire Fernando enormously.
"His determination, professionalism, and character are exceptional.
"Most players who spent two years away from the pitch after injuries like his would never return.
"He did.
"That tells you everything about him.
"But what does that change?"
The reporter looked confused.
Mourinho continued.
"Fernando and I communicate very well.
"There are no games between us.
"If he feels good, he can come to me the day before a match and say, 'José, I feel ready.'
"Then I can include him in the squad.
"After that, depending on the match, I decide whether he starts or comes on later.
"That is how we will handle it."
He paused.
"We are a team.
"Whether we are talking about Redondo or Ronaldo, New Manchester United is not built around one player.
"The first team, the academy, the coaches, everyone belongs to the same structure.
"The boss says it all the time.
"No individual is bigger than the club."
...
Although he had played only twenty minutes against Hartlepool, Redondo had been exhausted afterwards.
That alone forced him to confront reality.
After two years away, he was never going to return to his old physical level.
He had to accept that.
Even in training, he could no longer handle ninety minutes at full intensity.
Most days, he participated in only the thirty-minute training match before returning to individual rehabilitation work.
Nobody considered that unusual.
He was nearly thirty-four.
He had barely trained or played properly for two years.
What more could anyone reasonably demand?
Supporters were desperate to see him again, but Redondo was omitted from the following two league squads as well.
New Manchester United won both matches.
Their form was clearly recovering.
Then came the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Red Rebels were drawn at home against League Two side Swindon Town.
After two weeks of carefully managed training, Redondo was included in the squad again.
The announcement alone transformed interest in the fixture.
Television coverage was arranged.
More than thirty thousand supporters came to Old Trafford.
Some had travelled from overseas specifically for the possibility of seeing Redondo play.
New Manchester United's normal home attendance that season usually sat between thirty-five and forty thousand for league matches.
For an early-round FA Cup tie against League Two opposition to attract a similar crowd was extraordinary.
And everyone knew why they were there.
Redondo.
...
He received thirty minutes this time.
By the time Mourinho introduced him, New Manchester United were already leading 2-0.
Redondo again took the deepest midfield role.
Compared with his appearance against Hartlepool, the improvement was obvious.
His movement was sharper.
His timing was cleaner.
And he looked more comfortable trusting his knee.
Then came one moment that made the entire stadium rise.
Redondo received possession in midfield, lifted his head, and saw Villa beginning a run behind the defensive line.
One touch.
Then a long, perfectly weighted pass over the top.
Villa had already beaten the offside trap.
He controlled the ball and finished into the far corner.
Goal.
The scorer received applause.
Redondo received thunder.
Old Trafford erupted into chants of his name.
"Redondo! Redondo! Redondo!"
The ovation was louder than anything Villa received for actually scoring.
Redondo simply raised one hand towards the stands in appreciation.
That only made the noise increase.
That was what a true superstar looked like.
Two years away from football had not erased what he meant to people.
His current level no longer mattered.
His career had already become part of football history.
...
"One day, I want that."
Curtis sat in the stands with several other first-team players who had been rested.
He watched the crowd chanting Redondo's name and could not hide his envy.
The others nodded.
Earlier in their careers, many of them had assumed that becoming a superstar simply meant becoming one of the best players in the world.
Now they understood that the definition was much deeper.
Redondo was no longer among the world's elite on the pitch.
Yet nobody inside Old Trafford would dare claim he was no longer a superstar.
Ability made you famous.
What you represented was what made people remember you.
...
After the Swindon match, Redondo was once again omitted from the league squad.
Mourinho had already discussed the decision with him.
His recovery was progressing extremely well, but nobody intended to expose him to frequent matches in the short term.
Redondo naturally wanted to play more.
But he understood why the restrictions existed.
The sports science department and coaching staff were protecting him.
So he accepted the plan without complaint.
If anything, he became even more disciplined in training.
Ethan did not travel with the team for the next away league fixture either.
He had something important to deal with at Newton Heath.
After watching Redondo finish his rehabilitation work beside the training pitch, Ethan walked over.
"Fernando."
Redondo turned.
"Boss."
Ever since returning to competitive action, he had started receiving a proper player's salary.
That had been one of Ethan's conditions.
If Redondo wanted to appear in matches, he had to accept being paid as a footballer.
Otherwise, Ethan had threatened not to register him for selection at all.
He knew Redondo well enough to understand that without such pressure, the Argentine might have tried refusing the money again.
"Do you have time for a proper conversation?" Ethan asked.
Redondo looked down at his sweat-soaked training clothes.
"Of course.
"Give me ten minutes?"
"I'll wait in my office."
Redondo nodded and headed towards the changing rooms.
Ethan watched him leave.
A strange sadness settled over him.
Redondo was almost thirty-four.
How much football did he truly have left?
And when football ended, what would come next?
Ethan knew Redondo had little interest in becoming a full-time professional coach.
He had accepted the academy role at Newton Heath mostly out of gratitude towards the club.
Even in Ethan's previous life, Redondo had never pursued a serious coaching career.
He had eventually played indoor football instead.
Ethan had always found that slightly regrettable.
Someone with Redondo's understanding of the game might have become an exceptional manager.
But that had to be Redondo's decision.
Ethan could not force him to remain at Newton Heath simply because he believed coaching suited him.
Ten minutes later, Redondo entered the office.
Mark and Gardner from the commercial department were already seated inside.
Both had met him several times before.
After exchanging greetings, everyone sat down.
Ethan went straight to the point.
"Fernando, I'll be direct.
"The Red Rebel Foundation is preparing a partnership with a United Nations charity organisation.
"We want you to become one of our international charity ambassadors."
Redondo looked surprised.
"A charity ambassador?"
Ethan nodded.
"Essentially, it would be a voluntary public role.
"If you accept, you'd occasionally participate in campaigns, events, and promotional work organised by the foundation.
"Nothing would interfere with training or matches.
"And some of the projects may involve major corporate partners."
Redondo fell silent.
He was far too intelligent not to understand what Ethan was doing.
This was not merely about charity.
Ethan was already thinking about his life after retirement.
By associating Redondo with international charitable work, reputable organisations, and carefully selected commercial partners, New Manchester United could help establish a lasting public identity around him.
A personal brand.
Something that could continue long after he stopped playing.
Much like the way global companies had preserved the commercial influence of legendary players such as Pelé.
If handled properly, Redondo would never have to worry about what came after football.
The benefits could last for the rest of his life.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)