The complete footballing history of Fernando Torres
Updated in December 2015
- Born: March 20th 1984
Fernando Torres was born in Fuenlabrada, Community of Madrid.
- Joined Atletico Madrid: 1995
- First professional contract: 1999
Torres signed his first professional contract with Atletico Madrid when he was 15-years-old.
European Under-16 Football Championship, May 6th 2001
Torres was the highest scorer in the competition and scored the only goal in the final in Spain’s 1-0 win over France. He was named Player of the Tournament.
European Under-19 Football Championship, July 28th 2002
Torres was the competition’s highest scorer and scored the only goal in the final in Spain’s 1-0 win over Germany. He was named Player of the Tournament.
Demetrio Albertini, former AC Milan midfielder, October 11th 2002
“The best clubs of Europe are following him, but I believe Torres is attracted to the idea of moving to Milan. We have spoken and he has asked me for information on the team. He has a great self-confidence, rare for someone his age. He’s very strong and very fast and doesn’t seem to be an 18 year-old.”
Fernando Torres, December 6th 2002
On Barcelona interest: “Atletico don’t want to sell me, and I don’t want to leave. It’s an honour to have big teams interested in you, but I have a contract here and I want to see it out and stay long after it finishes. I don’t pay much attention to the reported offers because they rarely come about.”
Fernando Torres, February 28th 2003
On reported bid from Manchester United: “Last week they were talking about Milan, today it’s Manchester and still I know nothing,” said the striker. The president has already said that he would go himself before selling me. I am a point of reference for the fans because I came through the youth ranks and I want to stay here.”
Transfer bid, May 9th 2003
Juventus offered £10m plus Marcelo Zalayeta which was turned down.
Statistics, 2002-2003
14 goals in 31 games
Transfer bid, July 9th 2003
Chelsea’s bid of £28m was rejected.
Made captain, August 2003
Torres was made captain of Atletico Madrid when he was 19-years-old.
Fernando Torres, December 18th 2003
On new contract: “I wanted to be here and the club wanted me to continue. If this isn’t the happiest moment of my life it is one of the happiest because my dream was to carry on at Atletico and I hope that these four years are just the first of many more. It’s a dream, and what I wanted.”
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid, February 4th 2004
“The best thing Abramovich can do is stay in England or look for players in Russia. He has nothing to do with us. We would never do any sort of business for Fernando Torres. He can break the bank if he wants, but he has tried other deals that have not worked out well.”
Transfer bid, March 10th 2004
Manchester United’s offer of £24m plus Diego Forlan was rejected.
Fernando Torres, March 24th 2004
“If it would help out the club, I’ll leave. If it helped out the club financially then I will swap jerseys. But I will not leave for a Spanish club. I would never face the team that I was born in while in the same league. I would be better off going to Italy. But they will have to talk to Atletico because I won’t do anything behind their back. Anyway, I’d like to spend my whole career in the red and white jersey.”
Statistics, 2003-2004
21 goals in 40 games
Transfer bid, October 5th 2004
Chelsea’s offer of £24m plus Adrian Mutu for the January transfer window was rejected.
Golden Boy award, December 13th 2004
Torres came third behind Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Tuttosport ‘European Golden Boy‘ award.
Fernando Torres, February 4th 2005
“I am very proud that Barca, given how they are sweeping the league right now, are focusing on me. It encourages you to keep working hard. My head is still with Atletico Madrid, but if one day I had to leave to go elsewhere, Barca would be the only Spanish team I would go to.”
Statistics, 2004-2005
20 goals in 49 games
Transfer bid, August 31st 2005
Newcastle’s offer of £26m was turned down.
Fernando Torres, September 2nd 2005
“Newcastle’s offer came at the last minute when the Primera Liga had already started. The club didn’t even listen to the offer. I know how important that money would have been for the club and for that reason, I want to thank them for their effort in order to keep me at Atletico. I’m very happy they didn’t negotiate.”
Fernando Torres, November 12th 2005
“If a club like Arsenal and a coach like Arsene Wenger want to speak to you it is really flattering. Arsenal are in the Champions League every season and I want to play against the best teams and challenge for the biggest titles. At Atletico, things are going little by little.”
Fernando Torres, May 5th 2006
“The press are always talking about me going and recently the speculation has been stronger, probably because we are near a World Cup. But my plan is to stay here for the next three years. I haven’t signed anything with any other clubs. I have always said I want to be in the side that returns Atletico to where it deserves to be.”
Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal player, May 10th 2006
“We would love it if he came because he is a complete player with a great physique and I am a big fan of his. Torres is a good player, a great goalscorer and we would be delighted if he was to sign for us.”
Statistics, 2005-2006
13 goals in 40 games
Fernando Torres, September 4th 2006
“I had two years left on my contract. After all the uproar this summer I am still here and the club have offered me another year. I am delighted because I feel valued at the club and this is further proof. Atletico mean a great deal to me. They gave me my big break and I have lived through everything here, making my league début and becoming an international player. I owe this club a lot and, above all, I want to give something back. I am still young and have time to win trophies and enjoy the good times. I have never said I wanted to leave. There is not the money nor the titles to make me change my mind. Not all the Real Madrid presidential candidates called me, but some did. I directed them to Atletico because my intention was to continue.”
Fabio Capello, Real Madrid manager, October 2nd 2006
On Sergio Ramos’ sending off following Torres grabbing his face when no contact had been made: “Torres is a cheat and he must be punished. He has deceived the referee and it is not fair.”
Fernando Torres, April 17th 2007
“I don’t think about leaving, there have been seasons in which things have not gone well and you just want your holiday to arrive and forget everything and hope you arrive back and things are better. The important thing is where you feel good and to win things you need to feel that. It can be difficult to find that feeling and a team like that but I am convinced I will win titles here. When I am 28 I will have played in the Champions League and I will have done it with Atletico, I only think about being here. I am not obsessed about winning things, and I am not going to leave to win titles or to play in Europe – as I want to do that with Atletico because this is the club I feel for.”
Liverpool armband, April 21st 2007
In Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad, Torres’ captain’s armband came loose and revealed the Liverpool motto, “you’ll never walk alone” stitched inside.
Statistics, 2006-2007
15 goals in 40 games
Transfer bid, June 30th 2007
Reports from Spain claim that Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester City have all had offers accepted.
Transfer, July 3rd 2007
Liverpool sign Torres for £26.5m.
Rafa Benitez, Liverpool manager, July 4th 2007
“Atletico Madrid had better offers and the player had better offers. But he always wanted to join Liverpool. That was the key for me. We needed to work hard because there were other clubs who wanted him that we knew about – other clubs offering more money. But the player said straight away ‘I want to join Liverpool’. He said we were his first choice and that was the key for me. He has taken a pay cut to come here.”
Fernando Torres, July 8th 2007
“Cesc has triumphed at Arsenal and, after speaking to him several times, I thought to myself: ‘Why can’t I repeat my experience? He told me the key is not to get desperate if things go against me. I understand the first few months at Anfield will not be easy but I’m determined to overcome every obstacle. My choice was not down to money. This is a personal challenge. I have signed for six seasons and my desire is to play here for the six.”
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool captain, July 10th 2007
“Torres has all the attributes to become firmly established as world class. Some of the other players we’re being linked with excite me too. It’s great to see us looking at young, hungry players with their best years ahead of them. Since I’ve been in the first team I can’t remember us making such a major statement of intent in the transfer market as this. In recent years it’s only really been Manchester United and Chelsea buying players around the £20m mark, so it’s great to see us able to compete for players of that kind of value.”
Fernando Torres, August 10th 2007
“Liverpool are a club that, whenever they have had bad moments, have always come back stronger. We have won everything and now we want the league again because we have gone so long without winning it. This is the biggest club in England. Everyone is thinking about the Premier League. The club has gone 17 years without doing it and everyone believes this year could be the one.”
First goal for Liverpool, August 19th 2007
Torres scored his first goal for Liverpool in his third appearance in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
Fernando Torres, September 3rd 2007
“I feel as if I have been at Liverpool for a long time. I intend to stay here for many years to come and I am really pleased with everything – my new team-mates, the fans, the city, the stadium and, of course with my first goal at Anfield versus Chelsea. The experience is more fulfilling when things work out and if we can maintain our recent form, I am sure that everything will continue to move along nicely.”
Fernando Torres, October 11th 2007
“Here, they’re not going to whistle for anything if you fall over. There’s no point feigning anything because referees are fooled less. Moreover, it’s your own team-mates like Steven Gerrard who don’t like you using those tricks.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager, December 14th 2007
“For years we tried to do a deal there but we never quite managed it because Atletico Madrid didn’t want to sell or the player felt he was too young one year. Then we just lost interest a bit because sometimes you get fed up with going back to the same venue all the time. He’s a good player. We wouldn’t have been interested in him if he wasn’t. I think the advantage Rafa had was that he is Spanish and his dealings with Atletico were maybe better than ours because he’s Spanish.”
Fernando Torres, December 19th 2007
“These players Rush and Dalglish, they defined an era for Liverpool by scoring so many goals. It’s not just for their sake that I shy away from these comparisons, it’s for me too. I have only just arrived here. Many years down the line when I eventually leave Liverpool I would like to be held in the same affection as these players.”
PFA Player of the Year shortlist, April 11th 2008
Fernando Torres was one of the players in the Premier League in the running for the Player of the Year award.
Fernando Torres, April 30th 2008
“I hope so,” he said when asked if he would like to remain a Liverpool player for the rest of his career. “I feel very confident here. If we can win trophies, then much better. This is my team, my city and Anfield is my pitch. This is only my first season at Liverpool and I want to play better for many more seasons yet. So far I’ve had one good season but Kenny and Robbie have had six, seven, eight or 10 good seasons at Liverpool. It’s different. When I have finished my career then maybe that will be the moment to talk about these things but not now. It’s important to me that the fans think highly of me and if they’re saying these things then I would say ‘thank you, but not yet’. I think they love me and I love them. I was with Kenny Dalglish the other day and you could see in the faces of the people how much of a hero he is, 20 years after he finished his career. I want everyone to remember me in 20 years’ time.”
Most prolific Premier League foreigner, May 11th 2008
Torres became the most prolific foreigner ever in a debut season by scoring his 24th Premier League goal of the season in the 2-0 win at Tottenham to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record.
Statistics, 2007-2008
33 goals in 46 games
European Championships, June 2008
Spain finished top of the Euro 2008 group with Torres scoring in their 2-1 win over Sweden. Torres played in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Italy in the next round which his country won on penalties and in their 3-0 win over Russia in the semi-final. He scored the only goal of the game in Spain’s victory over Germany in the final. Torres was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Transfer bid, August 31st 2008
Manchester City’s offer of £50m was rejected.
Fernando Torres, October 13th 2008
“I believe we can win the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal produce great football, Liverpool and Chelsea are very difficult teams to play against and Manchester United played fantastically well last year. I think the four biggest teams in England are now the best in Europe. We have a good chance of doing well but it won’t be easy to finish above any of the other three sides.”
Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan manager, October 22nd 2008
“I’m no longer Chelsea manager and I don’t have to defend them so I think it’s correct if I say Drogba is a diver, Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Robin van Persie are the divers who won more penalties during the last four or five years.”
FifPro Team of the Year, October 27th 2008
Torres is named in the FifPro Team of the Year.
Northwest Football Awards, November 18th 2008
Torres is named Premier League player of the year at the Northwest Football Awards.
Fernando Torres, February 10th 2009
“I don’t see myself playing for Real Madrid, or Barcelona or Chelsea or any other team. I see myself playing for Liverpool. I have a long contract and that’s that.”
Fernando Torres, April 13th 2009
“Those goals on Saturday were for the 96 and their families because I know that Saturday was a special day for them with it being the home game closest to the anniversary. The goals were more special because of the service on Wednesday, when we will see the families on an important day for them and for all Liverpool supporters. It makes tomorrow’s game against Chelsea all the more important. We have to try to do it for the families and the 96 who died.”
Statistics, 2008-2009
17 goals in 38 games
Contract extension, May 28th 2009
Torres signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2013.
Fernando Torres, June 15th 2009
“They say foreign players don’t care as much as the home-grown, but we are very much aware that Liverpool haven’t won the Premier League for 19 years and understand the supporters are desperate for us to put that right. The rivalry with Manchester United is intense and the roof will come off at Anfield if we beat them to next year’s title.”
Contract extension, August 14th 2009
Torres signed another contract extension, this time to see him at the club until 2014.
Fernando Torres, December 2nd 2009
“I really feel at home here. From the first day I came I have felt that Anfield is my home – I feel like I am from Liverpool, and I want that for my family too. I hope to be here for a long time and if my daughter speaks English and Scouse, I will be proud. For me, Anfield is the best place in England. This is my home, and it helps that I have learned the language. Have I picked up any Scouse? Deffo! I am picking up words all the time.”
Surgery, April 18th 2010
Torres ruled out for the season after requiring an operation on his knee.
Statistics, 2009-2010
22 goals in 32 games
World Cup, June 2010
Spain finished top of their group, with Torres starting their first game on the bench and being subbed off in their remaining two games. He was subbed off with less than an hour played in Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16 and their 1-0 win over Paraguay in the quarter-final. Torres came on for the last 10 minutes in Spain’s 1-0 win in the semi-final. In the final, Torres came on in injury time as Spain beat Holland 1-0.
Fernando Torres, August 3rd 2010
“This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. Hopefully we can stay at our level. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season, but we are sure we can improve this season. I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I felt at home from the first day, I feel the fans love me and everyone knows I am really happy here and really happy to play at Anfield.”
Change of manager, January 8th 2011
Roy Hodgson was replaced by Kenny Dalglish as manager of Liverpool.
Fernando Torres, January 9th 2011
“More than ever, we need to stick together. We need to add more points, win matches and improve our standing in the table. That is our challenge and I demand the total help of our supporters in doing that. My head is in Liverpool and on helping save our season. I am professional and I always fulfil my deals. I haven’t considered leaving.”
Statistics, 2010-2011 – Liverpool
9 goals in 26 games
Transfer bid, January 28th 2011
Liverpool turned down a £35m offer from Chelsea for Torres. Torres then put in a transfer request.
Transfer, January 31st 2011
Torres joined Chelsea for £50m.
Fernando Torres, February 1st 2011
“I am so happy and so proud to be here, finally, after these tough days. At the end of the day I can say I’m a Chelsea player and I’m very, very happy. It has been two, three, four very, very hard days for me especially for everything I have leaving Liverpool but I can say I’m a Chelsea player. I’m really happy and I’m sure I’m doing one of the biggest steps forward in my career, joining a club like Chelsea.”
Chelsea début, February 6th 2011
Torres made his Chelsea début against his former club, Liverpool, in a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Fernando Torres, February 14th 2011
“As a striker I’m asked for goals so I’ll pay in goals. I still haven’t seen Roman Abramovich. To put so much money down for me speaks of his dreams to keep on making history. We want to repay him for this effort. I have to pay my debt on the pitch. It’s beautiful he paid so much for me.”
First goal, April 23rd 2011
Torres scored his first goal for Chelsea in a 3-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Statistics, 2010-2011 – Chelsea
1 goal in 18 games
Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur manager, July 22nd 2011
“I don’t want to turn Torres into an obsession like you people are trying to do. I am not going to waste time over this. I disagree that he is lacking in confidence. Every time a player doesn’t score, I am asked questions about him. I agree that Torres is a £50 million striker but my focus is purely on the performance of the team, not the individual.”
Javier Hernandez, Manchester United striker, February 4th 2012
“Fernando Torres is one of the best forwards in Europe, without doubt. But he suffers a bad record in front of goal and I predict that the Spaniard will not score against United this Sunday either.”
Fernando Torres, February 4th 2012
“I would like things to be much better but the support they give me every day is amazing. I remember a game against Wolverhampton and I was on the bench, and they were still singing my name. I’ve been very lucky to live very good moments but that game, when I was in the middle of nothing and not playing, was maybe the best memory I have in all my career.”
Change of manager, March 4th 2012
Andre Villas-Boas was replaced by Roberto Di Matteo as manager of Chelsea.
Fernando Torres, April 24th 2012
“I’m happy to be part of the game, to score the goal, to be in the Champions League final. Obviously it’s a dream come true for all the Chelsea players, for all the Chelsea supporters who’ve come here and everyone watching the game at home. It’s the second Champions League final for Chelsea. Everyone knows what happened in the past with the penalty shoot-out so I think Chelsea deserve a second chance and we have the chance now.”
FA Cup final, May 5th 2012
Torres was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over former club Liverpool.
Champions League final, May 19th 2012
Torres came on for the last five minutes of normal time in Chelsea’s Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich, before playing extra time but not taking a penalty.
Statistics, 2011-2012
11 goals in 49 games
Fernando Torres, May 20th 2012
“It’s contradictory because I feel like I’m at a peak moment in my career, with more desire and hunger than I’ve felt in a long time but I’ve had to spend the final on the bench. It was a huge disappointment when I saw the line-up, perhaps the biggest in my life. I thought I would play in this game and I couldn’t imagine not doing so. But in the end I could participate and offer the team something. This season I have felt things that I never had before. I’ve felt like they treated me in a way that I didn’t expect. Not in the way that was spoken of when they signed me. We’ve had a lot of talks and we’ll talk about my future. I want them to tell me what is going to happen in the future. Football has been fair on us, on me. Now I do feel like football is worth it but I’ve been through a difficult time. The worst in my career. I don’t want that again. There’s been many times when I’ve felt lost, I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt like I didn’t know where I belonged.”
Fernando Torres, May 28th 2012
“I had a conversation with the owner of Chelsea and he trusts me. His confidence is total and that is what I needed to keep fighting and continue to be essential for the team. I was left out of the squad and that was tough. I started to understand that things were serious, that I wasn’t getting much playing time with my club and that if things carried on that way, I wouldn’t be going to Euro 2012. Vincente has put his faith in me and now I need to show him I am ready to play whenever he thinks it necessary. I hope to be able to give the team the best of me.”
European Championships, June 2012
Spain finished top of their group, with Torres coming on for the last 15 minutes of their 1-1 draw with Italy, scoring twice in their 4-0 win over Ireland, and being subbed off with an hour played in their 1-0 win over Croatia. He came on for the last 25 minutes in their 2-0 win over France in the quarter-finals but was an unused substitute in their victory over Portugal which was won on penalties. Torres was brought on for the last 15 minutes of the final after Italy went down to ten men on an hour played following an injury to their third substitute, Thiago Motta. Torres scored in Spain’s 4-0 win and won the Golden Boot after scoring the same number of goals as four other players but in less time, after spending most of the tournament on Spain’s bench.
Fernando Torres, July 24th 2012
“I would love to win a Premier League. Hopefully it will happen this year, but for sure we will be challenging for it.”