Fernando Torres was the centre of attention as press from around the world fired questions at the striker following the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich. The forward, who was voted the third best footballer in the world by national team coaches and captains, looked ahead to the coming year. “I hope that the injuries are now behind me and I now my aim is to play as much as possible. I want to win silverware with Liverpool, and the Premier League is the most important title out there; although I have also always dreamt of winning the Champions League. If Spain can also win the Confederations Cup, it would make 2009 a year to remember.”

Many of the international journalists present at the event asked Fernando Torres about Liverpool’s next Champions League opponents. “My past at Atletico means that the game will be special. Although on paper the match is between two teams in the last sixteen, there will be an extra something about the clash having been brought up at Atletico Madrid, and what it means to have been part of that club.”

The striker bounced back from injury with a goal against Preston North End in the FA Cup, a good sign that Torres is on the road back to full fitness. “Little by little I can enjoy playing more minutes without feeling any twinges. I hope to be able to play more than 45 minutes against Everton, and the next step will be to play a full 90 minutes as soon as possible.”

You can read further comments from the Liverpool striker at the FIFA World Player Gala here.

Photo: www.fifa.com