December 31, 2008…what better than the final day of the year to look back at Fernando Torres’ feats and accomplishments over the past 12 months. 33 goals in his debut season on Merseyside, Spain’s winner at Euro 2008, Star Elevens, Best Goal and Best Player awards, and France Football’s placing of Fernando on the World podium of football. We hope you enjoy the whistle-stop tour of the highs, and some of the lows, of what has been a historical 365 days of football for both Fernando Torres, and for Spain.


- January. ‘Star eleven’ and a cracking goal versus Boro

After being voted by Liverpool fans as the best player for the month of December, Fernando Torres followed-up the accolade with a place in the ‘star eleven’ of ‘European Sports Magazines’ (a selection of publications dedicated to the world of sport). The striker had hit 15 goals so far for Liverpool in all competitions, and his magnificent strike at the Riverside Stadium proved key for the Reds, saving the team from defeat. January however was a poor month for Liverpool, who slipped out of the top four following three draws and a defeat.

- Fernando’s strike versus Middlesbrough –


- February. The Premier League’s Best Player

Torres started the month with a goal versus Sunderland in the Merseysiders’ empahtic 3-0 win. The striker then joined-up with the national team, but suffered an injury in the international friendly versus 1-0 win over France. The forward however made a speedy return, proving vital in Liverpool’s Champions League win over Inter Milan at Anfield. Both of Materazzi’s yellow cards came after fouls on the Spaniard, as the Reds defeated the Italians.

The Anfield striker’s return to Premier League action was impressive, blasting a hat-trick past Middlesbrough; goals which took the forward’s tally to 21 (15 coming in the League). At that point, the forward’s strike ratio was the third best in the domestic league competition with a goal every 118 minutes.

- The 'hat-trick' versus Boro (Sky Italy) –


- March. Hat-trick number three and the birth of the ‘Armband Song’

Fernando Torres followed-up his strikes versus Boro with another three goals against West Ham United; an amazing 60 years had passed since a Liverpool player had scored back-to-back hat-tricks at Anfield. The Kop dedicated a new song to the forward: ‘The Armband Song’. The lyrics came about after the striker was photographed wearing an armband whilst playing with Atletico Madrid with the words ‘We’ll never walk alone’; a dedication to Torres from a group of friends. March also saw Torres conquer the San Siro with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box which flew into the bottom corner of the net. The goal confirmed Liverpool’s place in the next round of the Champions League. The prestigious English newspaper ‘The Times’ also selected the forward as the Premier League’s most dangerous player.

- The Kop’s ‘Armband Song’ –


- April. Champions League crackers and the striker reaches 30 goal milestone for the season

The Champions League took note of Torres following some explosive displays in Europe’s top club competition. Liverpool-Arsenal was the star tie of the round, and the striker did not disappoint, giving the Reds the lead at the Emirates Stadium with his side’s second of the evening. Liverpool ran-out 4-2 winners to book their place in the semis. The forward’s brilliant turn and strike versus the Gunners was seen all around the world. Fernando finished the month with 30 goals to his name, an unbelievable figure for a striker in his debut season in England.

Chelsea scraped a draw in the Champions League first-leg at Anfield thanks to an own goal from Riise, before later edging out the Reds in extra-time in the return-leg. Torres scored his customary goal at Stamford Bridge, but it was not to be enough as Liverpool missed out on a trip to Moscow.

- A magic night of football at Anfield -


- May. Fernando makes Premier League history

Out of the Champions League, and with a top four finish in the bag, the striker looked to finish the season with the highest number of goals possible. White Hart Lane was the scene of Torres’ last goal of his first campaign in the Premier League. Fernando’s strike number 24 came in Liverpool’s final game of the 2007/08 season. The goal also took Torres one strike past the previous record held by Ruud Van Nistelrooy- as the striker with the highest goal tally in a debut season in the Premier League. Torres was also voted Liverpool’s Best Player, Best Striker and his goal versus Marseille in the Champions League was voted as the Best Goal of the Season. The striker also collected an award in his native Madrid: ‘Man of the Year’.

- Strike number 33 versus Tottenham at White Hart Lane -

- Liverpool’s Goal of the Season 2007/08 -



- June. Torres tastes Euro glory

Fernando’s outstanding year was not over yet, as his success at club level was going to be complimented with success with Spain. Torres had hit both winners in the Under 16 and Under 19 European Championships Finals, but Vienna was going to witness the most important strike of the forward’s young career. A drought lasting 44 years was brought to an end as Fernando out-smarted the German defence to score the game’s only goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0. Russia (twice), Sweden, Greece, Italy and Germany had no answer to Spain’s flair and creativity. Fernando lifted silverware on the world stage and was also voted the Final’s MVP.

- 2008 European Championship Final. Spain 1-0 Germany. Fernando Torres, 33rd minute –


- July. The whole of Spain stops to welcome the Euro 2008 heroes, and finally...a well-deserved holiday!

The Plaza de Colón (Columbus’ Square) became the centre-point for Spain’s celebrations, however the party covered the whole of the country. The trophy was also offered to the Spanish Royal Family at the Zarzuela Palace, a fitting end to the season. Torres was now on holiday, but members of the press were already touting the striker for the Golden Ball award and FIFA’s World Player. The end of the month saw Fernando Torres re-join Liverpool for pre-season training, which included a homage in Villarreal; a friendly between the two teams and a welcoming party for Spain’s Euro 2008 winners from both teams.


- August. 100 goals in top-flight football

Torres had not lost his goalscoring touch over the summer, as the forward struck twice against Glasgow Rangers and Valerenga. The run continued as Fernando hit the only goal in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The goal was the Spaniard’s 100th goal in top-flight football (La Liga and the Premier League). UEFA named Fernando Torres as a candidate for the Best Player of 2007/08- at the same time, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid were drawn together in Group D of Champions League.

- Top-flight goal number 100 –


- September. Derby day delight for Torres

A bitter-sweet month for Fernando. A hamstring injury kept the forward sidelined for most part of September, however the striker returned in style to hit both goals in Liverpool’s 2-0 win away to Everton in the Merseyside derby.

- Fernando’s second goal versus Everton -


- October. Goal 1000 and a bond between ‘rival’ supporters

Torres wrote another page in Liverpool’s history books scoring the club’s 1000th goal in the Premier League as Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 away from home. The striker’s five goals took him to the top of the League’s goalcharts, but a hamstring injury suffered whilst on international duty with Spain in Belgium, put the forward out of action. The injury also resulted in Torres missing Liverpool’s Champions League clash versus Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. The forward remained on Merseyside looking to recover from his latest set-back, however but both sets of fans made sure that Fernando was ever-present in the Spanish capital.

- Supporters from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid pay homage to Torres –


- November. Spain's captain and several awards come Torres' way

Fernando returned to the Spanish national team in an international friendly versus Chile. The number nine scored his country’s third goal in their 3-0 win, and also ended the game wearing the captain’s armband. The strike was Spain’s last goal of a triumphant 2008. Fernando also collected a ‘Northwest Award’ and was selected by the English football magazine Four-Four-Two in the top three European-based players. Unfortunately for the forward, he picked-up an injury in the last minute of Liverpool’s Champions League group game versus Olympique Marseille.


- December. A month packed with prizes

The striker’s year of hard work, explosive play and goals led to a series of accolades in December. Torres was out of action, recovering from injury, but the Spaniard was soon in the limelight again. The most important prize came in the way of France Football’s Golden Ball. Fernando was voted in the World’s top three players- alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. The Merseyside forward also made it into both starting elevens of FIFPro and L’Equipe. Liverpool radio broadcatser Radio City honoured Torres with the title 'Local Hero', and a worldwide survey bestowed upon Fernando the honour of being the Premier League’s ‘Most Popular Player’. The Spain and Liverpool number nine was also selected as one of the five candidates for FIFA World Player- the winner will be made known in January. An outstanding year for Fernando Torres, full of records, prizes, honours, accolades and of course… the 2008 European Championships!