Fernando Torres: Former Liverpool, Chelsea & Spain striker to retire

Spanish World Cup-winning striker Fernando Torres has announced he is to retire from football.

Torres, 35, played at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea in his 18-year career and is currently at Sagan Tosu in Japan's J1 League.

In 110 games for Spain, he scored the winner in Euro 2008 and was on target in their Euro 2012 final win.

"After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career," he said on social media.

Torres said he will hold a news conference in Tokyo on Sunday to "explain all the details".

His career started with Atletico, before a £20m move to Liverpool in 2007, where he scored 81 goals in 142 games.

In 2011, he was signed by Chelsea for a then British record transfer fee of £50m.

Although he failed to replicate his goalscoring form at Stamford Bridge, he was part of the Blues' Champions League-winning team in 2012.

He also won the FA Cup and scored in their 2-1 win against Benfica in the Europa League final in 2013.

After 45 goals in 172 games at Chelsea and a brief four-month loan spell at AC Milan, he returned to Atletico in late 2014.

He finished on the losing side as Atletico lost the 2016 Champions League final to Real Madrid, but won a second Europa League in 2018 - his final appearance before moving to Japan.

Torres, who is Spain's third highest goalscorer with 38, played in six major tournaments including their 2010 World Cup triumph.

"During his career he became a legend by his own merits, and left an unforgettable mark both in the field and in the hearts of everyone he worked with," said Atletico.

El Nino's career in pictures

Fernando Torres holds the World Cup — Fernando Torres won two European Championships and the World Cup with Spain

Fernando Torres — Torres made his senior debut for Atletico in 2001 when they were playing in Spain's second division

His final game for the club was the Europa League final in 2018 — His final game for the club was as a 90th-minute substitute in the 2018 Europa League final defeat of Marseille

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353 comments

Comment posted by Jake2703, at 08:46 21 Jun 2019
@ 15 satoowat
“No real legacy anywhere”.

He says to a 2 time scorer & winner at European Championships, World Cup winner, European Cup winner, Europa League final scorer & winner, FA Cup winner 😂
Comment posted by Sean, at 08:31 21 Jun 2019
At Liverpool he was lethal. Gets out the game with no serious injuries & millions in the bank. Think most of us would take that...
Comment posted by Rhys Jones, at 08:28 21 Jun 2019
Even though it went sour, he was amazing in his first few seasons for Liverpool, all the best El Nino!
Comment posted by dogeared, at 08:33 21 Jun 2019
The Gerrard Torres combo was absolutely sensational - especially against the Mancs ;o)
Comment posted by User0425103670, at 08:35 21 Jun 2019
I was fortunate to see him playing at Anfield on numerous occasions and see him score some great goals, the one against Blackburn was possibly the best. LFC had the best out of him, would have been good to see him and Suarez in the same team though.
Comment posted by D1710804327505, at 08:38 21 Jun 2019
I'll remember Torres for his time at Liverpool, an absolute joy to watch, specifically remember him terrorising the United defence at Old Trafford, single handedly ripping them apart!
Comment posted by Dreddy Tennis, at 08:35 21 Jun 2019
Can remember his first two seasons in the PL - remember the way he just blitzed through John Terry from outside the box against Chelsea shortly after signing for Liverpool.

Brilliant striker. Injuries cut his prime, but when he was on it he was unstoppable.
Comment posted by james, at 08:29 21 Jun 2019
In his prime a great lethal striker.
Comment posted by Chillinwith , at 08:36 21 Jun 2019
El Niño will always be fondly remembered at Liverpool - couple of outstanding seasons before moving on to Chelski for mega money where he done diddly squat ... happy days.
Comment posted by Ceciliars, at 08:42 21 Jun 2019
Super player when at Liverpool...I am sure Vidic still has nightmares about him...lol
Comment posted by TrueEvertonian, at 08:57 21 Jun 2019
He was brilliant in his time at Liverpool

I still have fond memories of him terrorising Man Utd's defence and destroying Vidic on several occasions
Comment posted by Irons45, at 08:48 21 Jun 2019
Loved watching him at Liverpool. It never really worked for him at Chelsea but that happens. Was a good professional never one for diving or cheating.
Scored some amazing goals in his time
Comment posted by Kerry, at 08:54 21 Jun 2019
Knee injury circa March 2010 which finished his season w/ Liverpool, had surgery, rushed back to play for Spain at 2010 World Cup, never looked the same player. Similar to Kaka (coincidentally around the same time too), bad injury, affected mobility, and that turn of pace was gone which affected his overall game.

In his prime at Liverpool Torres was awesome. Gave Vidic and Ferdinand nightmares.
Comment posted by User0298550110, at 08:34 21 Jun 2019
Not really a bad word for the guy , good player.
Good luck to him.
Comment posted by User0268144675, at 08:34 21 Jun 2019
And yet another player from CM01-02 retires. Gettin' old, gettin' old.
Great player at Liverpool and Atletico Madrid as well as for Spain, no doubt about it. Chelsea an aberration but won more than most will do, whether or not his time at Stamford Bridge was a success.
Comment posted by Jimmy Riddle, at 08:34 21 Jun 2019
I thought he retired when he left Liverpool?
Comment posted by kaisersozay, at 08:56 21 Jun 2019
Great striker found his feet at Athletico and Liverpool and unfortunately didn’t produce the same at Chelsea however let’s not forget at one point probably the best striker in the world...good medal haul and no doubt bags of cash in his supersavers squirrel account - well done son!!
Comment posted by Mr Spud, at 12:37 21 Jun 2019
My favourite memory of Torres was all the times he made "world's best defender" Vidic look like a Sunday League player. Enjoy your retirement.
Comment posted by twin, at 08:44 21 Jun 2019
@15. Posted by satoowat

Over hyped . Followed the money , hence no real legacy anywhere

----
and you? what have you achieved in your life to entitle you to such arrogant dispraise?
Comment posted by Marcus, at 08:39 21 Jun 2019
He was class for Liverpool, helped a huge amount by Gerrard's service which was evident when he didn't hit the same heights at Chelsea.
Never forget the way he had Vidic running scared and turned him inside out against Man U.