French television station Téléfoot (France 2) and Sky Sport Italia, both coincided at the end of 2008 with their respective programming schedules, the star: Fernando Torres. In December, Téléfoot televised a programme looking back over the Ballon d’Or awards. Fernando took bronze as he joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi on France Football’s podium.

The forward, whose 33 goal haul for the Merseysiders smashed several club and Premier League records, also scored Liverpool’s Best Goal of the Season; a brilliant solo effort versus French outfit Olympique Marseille in the Champions League.

Towards the tail-end of 2008, Sky Sport Italia televised a special programme looking back over the best sporting moments from the past year; paying extra attention to the climax of the 2007/08 football season.

Last year saw Fernando Torres take Italy by storm striking his team’s only goal in the second-leg 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro. The Spaniard ran the Italian defence ragged throughout the 90 minutes, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom right-handed corner from outside the box.

The Liverpool forward was also a key member of the Spain squad at Euro 2008. Torres, who took part in two of his country’s three group matches, also faced Italy at the quarter-final stage. Spain booked their place in the semis with a penalty shoot-out victory over the Italians, before brushing past Russia in the last four. The final held in Vienna was decided by one solitary strike; a goal from Fernando.

Torres’ performances and goals in 2008 confirmed his place at the top of the football pyramid… and at only 24, he has the World at his feet.