SEBASTIÁN FEST Buenos Aires
Actualizado
The father is glued to the television : watching Argentine football, Spanish leagues, Premier League, Italian championships, Mexican leagues, and even the MLS in the USA! The son takes after him but, like a typical young man today, he leans more towards teams rather than leagues: Manchester City , Arsenal , Brighton , Como (“my friends play there”), as well as Independiente and Argentinos Juniors back in his homeland — not to mention Real Madrid , which is a bridge connecting both father and son: Fernando and Federico Redondo .
Fernando, at 56 , left a significant mark in Spain as a midfielder for Real Madrid from 1994 to 2000 . Before that, he played at Tenerife , where he made the leap to the Bernabéu under the guidance of Jorge Valdano . His son, Federico Redondo Solari , at just 22 , has just joined Elche this season, making his debut in La Liga against Real Betis , fresh from a year and a half at Inter Miami alongside the legendary Lionel Messi . This lineage gives a glimpse into a legacy that promises to continue flourishing on the football fields.
A Football Legacy
The story of the Redondo family is deeply intertwined with football , and it’s safe to say that without this sport, Federico wouldn’t even exist. He is the son of Natalia , the daughter of Jorge ‘Indio’ Solari , who once managed Tenerife. Under Solari, the team went on to deny Madrid the La Liga title in the final matchday of 1992 and 1993, allowing Barcelona to claim the trophy instead. It was during this period that Fernando developed a strong affection for Solari’s daughter. They married and had three children; Federico, the youngest, is also the great-nephew of Santiago Solari . When the family gathers for Sunday dinner, the topic is always clear: football .
“I always ask my dad for advice, and we often discuss the matches,” says the new Elche player, reflecting on their close bond. Moreover, Federico strives to play like his father—a tall order considering the esteem in which the younger Redondo holds his father.
“Almost no player in that position has done everything my father did. He would win back possession, serve as a link between defense and attack, and maneuver past opponents as a number 5,” says Federico, in a past interview with La Nación . “He was like three players in one: he covered the entire pitch, provided balance to the team—he was very complete. I believe he was the best in history at that position.”
Federico, who began his career at Argentinos Juniors —the same club that birthed Diego Maradona and made waves in the 1985 Intercontinental Cup —debuts at the professional level in the Argentine Primera División , following in his father’s footsteps, who continued to shine in European football after leaving for Madrid in the year 2000 . That period saw tensions with the then-president Florentino Pérez , who disapproved of Fernando’s rebellious streak.
Three years later, while playing for Milan and nearing the conclusion of his career, Fernando welcomed Federico into the world in Madrid. The family’s journey is reminiscent of another illustrious Argentine football lineage—the connection between Diego Simeone and Fernando Redondo. Both players once shared the pitch with Maradona , and their sons have also found themselves playing alongside Messi .
“The dream of my generation is to play with Leo, for me, the greatest player in history. Playing alongside him was a dream come true, and I cherished every minute I had with Leo,” Federico expressed of his experience in Miami.
Federico played 60 matches for Inter Miami, netting two goals and providing four assists. Yet, the experience transcended statistics; it was rich with lessons, giving him the chance to engage in informal games with David Beckham (“he doesn’t get involved too much, but sometimes he joins in. And when he strikes the ball, you realize his technique remains intact”), and competing in the recent Club World Cup . He has also consolidated his position within the Argentine national team, participating in the Olympic qualifying and gaining traction in the senior squad.
Armed with vision, passing accuracy, exceptional ball recovery, and tactical intelligence, Federico is definitely a Redondo. As his new team succinctly puts it: “ Elegance is inherited. ”