Fernando Torres, a name which is always included in the Premier League icon list. The long hair, the headband and the skill. Not to forget those Total 90 boots!
How good was Fernando Torres?
Really good.
No, I mean really, really good.
Although we can put to rest this idea that Nemanja Vidic couldn’t handle him (which, on average, he clearly could), there were a lot of defenders who couldn’t hang with a prime Fernando Torres.
He was one of those players who really brought that ‘prime Barclays‘ feel to the Premier League, due to his fearlessness to try whatever may or may not work in front of goal. If it didn’t, people didn’t usually care, but when it did, it was nigh-on impossible for fans to forget.
So, I thought it would be a good idea to carry on our archive of player shirt content here at Hobby FC, by looking at the fiery career of Fernando Torres through his awesome array of football shirts.
Starting where it all began…
Atletico Madrid 1995-2007: The Spanish Roots
Fernando started his career at Atletico Madrid, making his first team debut in the 2001-02 season against Leganés. And never really looking back since.
Torres was 17-years-old at the time, which made him the youngest player to play for Atletico Madrid., and arguably paving the way for young and equally brash strikers to have come after him.
Such as the likes of Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao.
The Spanish forward grew up in Madrid and scored 76 goals in what was to be his first of two spells at the Metropolitano Stadium. It also helps from a collectors’ point of view that this happened during an unprecedented era of film titles appearing on the front of football shirts, too!
His vintage Madrid shirt can be purchased for around £100, with prime versions with the ‘F.Torres – 9’ name-set harking back to the nostalgia of this early 2000’s era of La Liga football.
Liverpool (2007-2011): Rafa‘s Project
Liverpool broke their transfer record to bring Fernando to the club for £26.5 million, and I can seldom believe that there’s much of the Anfield faithful that regret that decision.
Torres went on to be a fan favourite at the club, scoring 81 times in 142 appearances.
That iconic long-sleeve scarlet shirt was trademark Torres, the long-sleeved, Carlsberg sponsored shirt is one of the most iconic kits in football. You can add this shirt to your collection for just £50 online! Obviously depending on where you’re shopping.
We’ll always recommend our friends at The Soccer Archive – who have a great Liverpool collection.
As you can with a lot of the over-bought Carlsberg kits…
Chelsea (2011-2014): The ‘Big Move’
El Nino had majority of his success at his years with Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Europa League and the FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea shirt, can be purchased for around £200.
It’s one of those weird ‘cult hero’ kits that somehow maintains a high value!
AC Milan (2014 – 2015): The Italian Job
Fernando moved to AC Milan originally on a two-year loan before the move was made permanent in the January, Torres made ten appearances and scored one goal for the Italian side.
Here, it seemed he could get back to a semblance of his Liverpool form post-Chelsea, but it was always going to be difficult with age and fatigue staring him in the face.
This shirt has a really clean design and can be added to your collection for around £60.
Atletico Madrid (2015 – 2018): The Homecoming
Torres returned to Madrid originally on loan in 2015, but then later signed a permanent deal. Scoring 32 more goals for his hometown club. Torres also won his second Europa League while at the club.
But it arguably wasn’t as fun as the first time round, and consequently, there is a much lower clamour for this new version of a Fernando Torres shirt at Atletico Madrid.
You can purchase Atletico’s 2016 shirt for around £70. Some even come with the tags still on!
Sagan Tosu (2018-19): The Last Ride
Torres ended his fantastic career in Japan with Sagan Tosu, scoring three goals in 21 appearances.
Much was made of the famous Spaniard’s move to Japan, and he wasn’t the only person to have ended his career in South-East Asia after blazing a trial in Europe.
But in hindsight, it was more a publicity stunt for the league than anything else.
These shirts can be purchased at around £50 a piece.
Summary
Fernando Torres had some key moments within the beautiful game, that semi-final at against Barcelona, The 2008 World Cup.
Not all the moments were nice however, for example his miss at Old Trafford.
But every player has their ups and downs, and the reputation / clamour for their shirts react to that.
Which of these Fernando Torres shirts do you like the most?