Fernando Torres is retiring from professional football.
The legendary Spanish striker, who won the World Cup and the Euros for his country – as well as countless other trophies during an 18-year career – has finally called it a day.
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 10:00AM, local time in Japan, I will have a press conference in Tokyo to explain all the details.See you there. pic.twitter.com/WrKnvRTUIu
— Fernando Torres (@Torres) June 21, 2019
Despite not winning anything with Liverpool, Torres’s peak as a footballer came during his three-and-a-half-year Anfield spell under the guidance of Rafa Benitez.
He scored 33 goals in his debut season, 17 in his next and 22 in 2009/10 – bagging a further nine before his infamous departure to Chelsea in January 2011.
At Chelsea, he won trophies, but his reputation took a nosedive, and he eventually joined Atletico Madrid, via AC Milan, before heading to Sagaon Tosu in Japan.
For many years, Torres was considered a Judas by Reds, but after time, the striker was forgiven – with fans accepting the club had broken promises to him about our playing staff and ambitions.
His relationship with Steven Gerrard was truly very, very special.
Enjoy retirement, El Niño!