Torres: An Intimate Portrait of the Kid Who Became King

to speak: ‘I’m not surprised by the loyalty the fans are showing me. I was born an Atlético person, I’ve spent virtually all my life at this club, and I know what Atléti folk are like. I know that when I left some people didn’t understand it, but luckily, two years down the line, most people can understand it. I can see Atlético shirts here and some from Liverpool. Being united like that is the best possible news as far as I’m concerned. When I watch Atlético games on television and I see Liverpool shirts, it gives me an amazing sense of pride. It’s like when I see a lot of Atléti shirts at Anfield and it’s something I love. I have to say, I feel a part of both clubs, and that is the biggest and best thing I’ve ever had’.
    The questions start …

How would you define the Atlético feeling?
     
    ‘It’s hard to put your finger on. I think you are born an Atlético person. There aren’t very many people who become fans of the red-and-whites on the way. Kids see Real Madrid winning and it’s one of the giants, so they become fans of the whites. In my class I was the only Atlético supporter out of 30 children. They were all Real Madrid fans. How did I handle it? Well, I had to put up with the jokes every weekend, but I felt more and more proud. I used to go to the ground to watch my team play and when we lost I thought, “oh well, we’ll win next week” … and when we won I was happy for the whole week afterwards. More important than the results there is the desire to support your team in the hope that one day they’ll get back up where they belong. I experienced the double as a fan, and when we went down as a fan, and as a player. Good things and bad things, and that’s what Atlético Madrid is like. But the main thing is that the ground is packed and the fans are devoted to their team. That’s what makes it different.’

Will you come back to Atlético?
     
    ‘Seriously, that’s not just down to me. Sure, I’d love to finish my career with Atlético, but you never know what strange turns events might take in football. But I intend to – let’s see after 2014 …’

Do you think your departure from Atléti has already been worth it or won’t this be true until you win some silverware?
     
    ‘I’ve achieved the two goals I set myself. I’ve seen Atlético grow in stature. They’ve played Champions League football, signed up some really good players, and are now a team that’s recognised in Europe – my team-mates at Liverpool talk about Atléti. That’s what I wanted when I left. Personally speaking, I think I’ve come on a great deal over these two years. In my first season at Liverpool I managed to score more goals than any other foreign player in the Premier League and I came third in the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player awards. I’ve developed in footballing terms and it’s been Liverpool that has let me do that, because it’s a team that always plays at the highest level. That’s why I’m very happy with the decision I took.’

Do you get on better with the club people at Liverpool than with those at Atléti?
     
    ‘At Atlético there were people I had known since I was a kid, players who I was with in the junior levels and afterwards in the first team, and I knew the people at the club, the people working at the Vicente Calderón. Now, at Anfield, I’ve started from scratch and get on well with everyone. I’m not a person who has had or caused problems in the dressing room. I’ve always tried to be as consistent as possible because I know that it’s your team-mates who are going to make you a big name or not. I know that, in this sense, I’ve been lucky to be in two great dressing rooms.’

Who do you feel more at home playing with, Mascherano and Xabi Alonso or Xavi and Iniesta?
     
    ‘Luckily all four are really good. It’s very different though. English football is a lot faster … there’s hardly any play among the defenders and the midfielders before you’re upfield, and within two or three touches and moving really fast you’re suddenly in front of the other side’s keeper. With my playing style this has really suited me, but that doesn’t mean playing alongside Xavi and Iniesta isn’t a luxury. You just know they’re going to have the ball and you know you’re going to be more relaxed when it comes to finishing because you don’t have to worry. It’s a joy to know that the ball is safe at their feet. You know that you can send