Nobody has given up all hope, neither Redondo himself. Speaking exclusively to the Spanish magazine 'Don Balon', the Rossonero midfielder expresses the typical exciting of a player who is set to come back soon on the pitch. Everybody knows what his presence will mean in such a competitive Milan. After praising Milan transfer campaing, with particular reference to Rivaldo, Tomasson and Seedorf's signing ('Now we are an extraordinary team'), he dwells upon his long period rest which is likely to come to an end at last. He reveals he had feared to retire from professional football as Van Basten, but he admits he had always kept hoping in a recovery from his knee injury, supported also by the Rossonero fans. He plays down the issue of his salary suspension ('I can't claim to be paid without playing'). He announces that Milan will probably represent the last stage of his long career. He relishes the prospect of a return to the San Siro ('which can only be compared to the Bernabeu of special days') and finally identifies in the young Cambiasso (who has just come back to Real) his most likely heir. But before laying down his crown, he has something else to say, his shirt No. 5 is waiting for him at Milanello.