Fernando Torres announces end of playing career after ’18 exciting years’

Spanish World Cup winning striker Fernando Torres has announced the end of his football playing career, terming it an exciting 18 years on the pitch.

The 35-year old, who won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa 2010, spent the major part of his playing career at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea.

His career started with Atletico, before a move to Liverpool, where he scored 81 goals in 142 games, and was later signed by Chelsea.

Torres is currently at Sagan Tosu in Japan’s J1 League.

“After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career,” he wrote on Twitter.

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On the international scene, Torres, who is Spain’s third highest goalscorer with 38, played in six major tournaments including their 2010 World Cup triumph.

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

In England, Torres was part of the Chelsea’s 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.

In Spain, 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 said he will hold a news conference in Tokyo on Sunday to “explain all the details.”

https://twitter.com/Torres/status/1141934249362124801?s=19

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