Fernando Torres has established a reputation as vaunted as his own country Spain in terms of soccer ability but like his homeland equally pressing on his shoulders is the lack of a major title.
The 24-year-old is just the latest in a long line of top strikers from Spain to go into battle in search of a senior international title, after a superb maiden campaign for Premiership underachievers Liverpool where his scoring exploits brought no silverware to the club.
No trophies in his first season following a big monry transfer from Atletico Madrid might seem poor reward initially but the blond-haired striker did all he could to see Liverpool break the stranglehold that Manchester United and Chelsea have over the Premiership.
No shame to him, though, having scoring 23 league goals to equal Dutch former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for a foreigner playing their first season in England’s top division.
For Spanish soccer fans that would be nothing new, as the senior side has won nothing since they hosted the 1964 European Championships.
But Torres is seen along with Valencia’s David Villa as the potential breaker of the title ice given his ability to score goals from anywhere.
best player
He at least knows what it is like to win a title internationally having been judged best player at the European Championships Under-16 tournament which Spain won in 2001 and winning the European Under-19 title in 2002.
Senior international recognition soon followwed with a call up by then coach Inaki Saez for Euro 2004.
He only made one appearance at the tournament where there was more disappointment for the Spanish as they went out in the first round.
knockout blow
The 2006 World Cup yielded a much better harvest as under present Spain coach Luis Aragones both he and Villa scored three apiece but then succumbed to a 3-1 defeat by eventual finalists France in the knockout stages.
While Torres has done wonders for Liverpool this past season he goes into the Euro Championships owing his country a few favors as he has not added to his 15 goals in 47 internationals since September last year, when he scored against Lativa in a 2-0 victory.
Thus if Spain are to finally pass from ditching their perennial underachievers tag to title winners the striker previously known as “the child” and now nicknamed “Kid Torres” will have to get his shooting boots on.
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