Fernando Torres has spoken about his career ahead of his final game with Vissel Kobe.
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will culminate his playing career following Sagan Tosu’s clash against Vissel Kobe in the Japanese top-flight league on Friday.
Breaking through the academy ranks of Atletico Madrid, the striker became a fan favourite in Madrid before earning a move to Liverpool in 2007. The Spaniard scored 65 goals for the Reds, but his move to Chelsea in 2011 for the then British record fee of £50 million stirred infuriation among Liverpool fans.
Despite that contentious move, Torres claims about earning the ‘Respect of World Football’.
Torres said: “It’s been an amazing 18 years, more than 18 years playing football,”
“I won many things. I won the respect of world football, which is the most important thing for me, and now I have only one game left.
“So, I will make sure that I will enjoy from the first until the last minute and hopefully we can get the three points, which are very important for us, and hopefully I can score my last goal at home in front of Sagan Tosu fans.
“It’s going to be a really special game for me, but it’s not going to change the way I feel about my career. It’s been fantastic. Much better than I could expect when I was a kid. So, I’m really grateful for what I did and really grateful to all my fans around the world.”
Fernando Torres has won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, while he lifted the World Cup and Euro with his national team, where he made 110 Spain appearances, bagging 38 goals. He also scored the goal against Germany in the Euro 2008 final – helping him clinch the first title with his motherland.
The Spaniard, who was considered as arguably the best player during his prime days, says he has no regrets about his glorious career.
“I always wanted to end my career playing football,” he added.
“So I am really looking forward to play on 23 August, to be on the pitch alongside my team-mates, to run with them, to fight, and to try to win the match, because that’s what I’m going to miss the most, to compete.
“I am really looking forward to that match (against Vissel Kobe), and after the final whistle, it will be over. Whatever happens on that day, my football career has been fantastic. I am very proud of it.
“I am also very happy (to end my career) here in Japan, where I stayed for a year, that has been very intense and where I have learnt a lot.”
