‘I have something very important to announce. After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career. Next Sunday, the 23rd at 10:00 AM, local time in Japan, I will have a press conference in Tokyo to explain all the details. See you there... – Fernando Torres wrote on his social media.
El Nino, the hero of 2008 European Championship announced his retirement today on his social media website. Coming through Atletico Madrid’s youth system where he actually started off his career as a Goalkeeper in his youth days but looking at his touch and control on the ball, the coach thought of playing him in the midfield and at the striker position. Torres was just 16 when he broke into the Atletico’s 1st team. He joined Atletico Madrid when he was just 11 and became a local legend at a very quick rate where his skills and techniques grabbed headlines all over the globe. He also captained the side when he was just 19 years.
Many of the clubs around the globe were behind him to sign for their club, but it was the Spanish coach Rafa Benitez convinced him to join Liverpool which turned the tides for him. He formed a formidable partnership with Steven Gerrard where he established himself as one of the deadliest finishers all around the globe. He became youngest Liverpool footballer to score 50 goals.
During his tenure with Liverpool, he also represented Spain in 2008, 2012 Euro and 2010 World Cup where he struck gold and won all possible championships that were to be clinched and was quietly sitting at the top of the pile.
Chelsea who were behind Torres before he signed up for Liverpool, were in pursuit of him, but he chose to sign for Liverpool instead, finally got his signature in 2011 where he signed for £50million started his difficulties and he was starting to tumble off the ladder. During his tenure with Chelsea, he scored a mere 20 goals in 110 appearances. His only highlight of the club came in the UEFA Champions League wherein the Semi – Finals he scored the decisive goal which sent Chelsea to the Finals of the competition where they eventually won.
He then moved to AC Milan on loan for 6 months where he just managed to score one goal where it was evident that he was not the same as he was in his tenure with Liverpool.
As the world is round and Torres gave a long thought about his career, he made a heroic comeback to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid. He made a comeback with 14 goals in 2015/16 season.
He currently plays in Japan for Sagan Tosu which is the last season of his career. In his club career, Torres has scored 260 goals in 765 appearances.
A Legend Retires today and surely the Goal against Barcelona would haunt the Barcelona fans forever.
