Euro 2008 Player Profile: Fernando Torres

June 3rd, 2008 | By: Chris | 3 Comments »

Name: Fernando Torres
Nickname: El Nino
Team: Spain
Group: D; Greece, Russia, Sweden.
Caps (Goals): 47 (15) - as of June 3, 2008
DOB: March 20, 1984 (24 years old)
Position: Striker
Club Team: Liverpool

No player made the leap from very good player to bona fide superstar like Fernando Torres this season, and it’s fair to say nobody made more pundits shut their mouths. After being considered overpriced by many - with a transfer fee rumored to be anywhere from £20m on up, with Luis Garcia maybe kinda sorta somewhere in the deal - he is now considered an absolute bargain, and probably the biggest steal of the 2007 summer mercato.

Torres came up through the youth ranks of his hometown club Athletico Madrid, ascending to early legendary status because of his promise and the fact that he was a fan before he ever was a player (much like Francesco Totti and Raul - blasphemy, I know). After watching Atletico back from the Segunda to La Liga, Fernando really began to shine, still but a boy. Five straight years of double digit goal tallies, including 19 in his final year, and it was quite clear Torres was ready for the big stage. Enter Rafa Benitez, lover of all things La Liga, and the rest is becoming history.

The last time Liverpool purchased a big name Spanish striker named Fernando, he flopped quite spectacularly, so Torres had a big task attempting to erase the past. His debut goal came against Chelsea, a feat which could do nothing but endear him to the Kop faithful, and he proceeded to score 32 more on his way to one of the greatest debut seasons in recent times, and being considered one of the best strikers on the planet. The promise has officially now been fulfilled.

Torres is, obviously, a clinical finisher. But what’s more is the luxury he can afford to teams. He doesn’t need service, he just needs the ball somewhere in the vicinity of his feet. A coach could, if he so chooses, sit 10 men in his own half and still have an attack because Fernando is so incisive cutting through midfields and defense alike. At, through, around - whatever it takes to get to goal. Truly a luxury, and perhaps the most dangerous man on the planet going into this tournament with the gigantic monster known as the Spanish attack along with him.

Despite Spain’s historic failings in international tournaments, there’s no question Fernando is one of the favorites for player of the tournament, golden boot, tournament XI, etc. A dynamic talent, he’s worth watching all by his lonesome.