Football

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres of Atletico Madrid celebrates with the Europa League trophy in 2018

Fernando Torres was one of the finest strikers of his generation - carrying hero status at Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. He also starred for Spain as they won the World Cup, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.

Fernando Torres is a retired Spanish soccer player who played for Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, AC Milan and Sagan Tosu, as well as the Spain national team.
He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships with Spain. During his time at Chelsea, he won the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, as well as the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League. At Atletico, he won the 2017/18 Europa League.

Beyond the trophies, Torres was a cult figure during his time at Liverpool and remains a club icon at Atletico. He somewhat affected his Liverpool legacy by leaving them for fierce rivals Chelsea in January 2011 for a then-Premier League record transfer fee of £50million ($68million).

Making waves at Liverpool

fernando torres goal celebration liverpool 2009

Fernando Torres does a knee-slide after scoring a goal for Liverpool

Torres joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in July 2007, ahead of the 2007/08 season, signing a six-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be in the region of £20-25million (up to $34million), with Luis Garcia moving in the opposite direction.

Liverpool's new number nine was an instant success and a firm favourite among the Kop. He scored 24 Premier League goals in his first campaign, making him the highest foreign goalscorer in a debut Premier League campaign, eclipsing Ruud van Nistelrooy's 23.
Liverpool finished fourth in the Premier League in 2007/08, but Torres was a key catalyst in a title challenge under Rafael Benitez in the following campaign. Ultimately, Liverpool missed out on the title by four points, finishing second to Manchester United.
In 2009/10, Liverpool's fortunes took a turn for the worse following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Torres still chipped in with 18 Premier League goals, but Liverpool finished a disappointing seventh as Chelsea were crowned champions.

Benitez was replaced by Roy Hodgson in 2010 and Liverpool's form continued to plummet. In January 2011, Torres handed in a transfer request amid interest from Chelsea and ultimately got his wish, joining the Blues for £50million ($68million).

While at Chelsea, Torres picked up the trophies he had been unable to secure during his time at Liverpool. He was a European champion in 2012, even scoring against Barcelona in the semi-finals. However, as the goals dried up he never achieved the icon status which he received at Liverpool.

Torres never scored against Liverpool for Chelsea, but he set up a Willian goal which ultimately proved to be one of the final nails in the coffin of Liverpool's failed 2013/14 Premier League title bid.
In 2015, he returned to Anfield for a charity match and finally received a warm welcome from the Liverpool fans again having been booed by them while playing for Chelsea.
Torres netted 65 times in 102 Premier League appearances for Liverpool and a further 20 goals in 110 games for Chelsea.

A full circle with Atletico Madrid

fernando torres goal 2017 atletico madrid

Fernando Torres celebrates a goal for Atletico Madrid in 2017

Torres came through the youth system at Atletico Madrid. Having won the Nike Cup at U-15 level with Atletico in 1998, he signed his first professional contract with Los Rojiblancos in 1999.
In 2000/01 and 2001/02, Torres featured for Atletico in the Segunda Division. Although he struggled with injuries, he helped them secure promotion to La Liga in 2002.

In 2002/03, Atletico's first season back in La Liga, Torres became more prolific. After only six league goals in 36 appearances in the previous campaign, he struck 13 in 29 matches in his first top-flight season. His form quickly attracted suitors and Atletico's board of directors reportedly rejected a £28million ($38million) bid for the striker from Roman Abramovich's Chelsea.

Torres scored 19 league goals in 2003/04 and became captain of Atletico Madrid at just 19 years of age.
The following three seasons saw persistent approaches from Premier League clubs as Torres continued to perform consistently for Atletico. Ultimately, it was Liverpool who won the race for his signature in 2007 for what was then a club record transfer fee.

A big part of Spain's glory days

fernando torres spain celebration euro 2008 liverpool

Fernando Torres celebrates Spain's victory in the final of Euro 2008

Torres played a crucial role in an unprecedented era of success for the Spanish national team. For much of it, he was utilised upfront alongside David Villa.
Torres was a European champion in 2008, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 final victory over Germany. Two years later, he participated in Spain's victorious 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa. He played shortly after receiving knee surgery and was not at his best throughout the tournament.
However, two years later, despite his shaky club form, Torres played an important role in Spain defending their European Championship title. He picked up a goal and an assist in the final against Italy as Spain won 4-0, and thus secured the Golden Boot ahead of Germany's Mario Gomez.
Altogether, Torres scored 38 goals in 110 caps for the Spanish national team.

Personal life

Torres married Olalla Domínguez Liste on May 27, 2009. His daughter, Nora, was born later that year and his son, Leo, was born in 2010.
Torres featured in the music video for 'Ya nada volvera a ser como antes' by El Canto del Loco. He is reportedly friends with Dani Martín, the group's singer.
The striker also appeared in the 2005 comedy film 'Torrente 3: El protector'. In 2009, Torres released an autobiography entitled 'Torres: El Nino: My Story'. 'El Nino' directly translates as 'The Kid', and is thus a fitting nickname for a player who was an icon from a very early age.
In 2011, a stadium was built in Fuenlabrada, Torres' place of birth, to honor the striker. The Estadio Fernando Torres is the home venue of CF Fuenlabrada.

Net worth

In 2009, Torres had a reported net worth of £14million. As of 2014, he was listed in 63rd place on Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Athletes list with $21.31million. Forbes reported at the time that $17.8million of his earnings were from his salary and $3.5million from endorsements.

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