The striker, who met up with the Spain squad on Monday, is looking forward to the World Cup which commences in just over two weeks time. Torres will be looking to put an injury-hit season at Liverpool behind him as he aims to help Spain to build on their triumph at Euro 2008. At an event with children organised by the insurance company AVIVA, Fernando spoke to the sports daily ‘Marca’.


- Let’s start with a question all of Spain are dying to ask you… how is the injury?

I feel very well, and I’m happy with how the injury is progressing. I’ve had two operations since January, and that’s never easy for anyone. The first surgery went well, and the estimated time out for the second operation was about six or seven weeks, and we have just started week six. I will spend a few more days with a specialized training plan, and if all goes well, I’m sure that I’ll be 100% fit for Spain’s opening game at the World Cup.

- So it looks good for Spain and for Fernando Torres.

If I can rejoin the group next week, then all the better. We still have plenty of time left and don’t see why I won’t be in perfect condition in time for the finals. It would help if I could get a run-out in a friendly, but we have to see what the doctors and technical staff decide. Everything is going according to plan, but we still have to remain cautious as it’s the second injury I’ve suffered in the same area. But my recovery from injury has gone really well.

- Were you ever worried that you might miss out on the World Cup?

When I found out the extent of the injury, I was a lot calmer. I knew what I had, and with three months still to go it never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t be back in time for the World Cup. Although there are times when you might have your doubts, I was sure that I would recover in time. The manager has to be able to have the players in the best physical position possible, but I’ve have been speaking to Miñano, Hierro and Cota at the Football Federation on a daily basis. They knew exactly how I was at all times.

- What were your thought on Vicente Del Bosque’s list?

I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Vicente. It’s hard when you have to leave players out, but the squad has plenty of quality. It’s hard to get in, so those who have made the squad are all very proud to be a part, and those who failed to make it have also played a part. We all in this together, those who are here and those who are not. We have to be a team, just like at the European Championships. It makes it very special.

- Will you remember the names of all the people you have to dedicate the triumph to?

It will go to those who have missed out because of an injury. For those players who were in the running but were not named in the final list. We want to dedicate the triumph to them, along with plenty of other people.

- Who is the favourite for the 2010 World Cup?

A tough question. There’s always a surprise team at the World Cup, plus Germany, Italy and Argentina, who have struggled to qualify for the event, but still know what’s needed to win. Brazil are favourites and England look like a good bet. The African countries will have the advantage of playing on their own backyard, and there is also Spain, a favourite alongside Brazil, although our feet are firmly on the ground.

- Are people now talking differently about Spain?

Spain have always been seen as a candidate for the title, but that was always far from the real truth. We had the hunger and enthusiasm, and although back home we were seen as favourites, we were not quite there. Abroad we were not considered favourites. But now things are different. We have now won the right to be favourites.

- Is Torres the favourite to walk off with the Golden Boot award?

No, but just like my teammate David Villa, we are lucky to be playing for one of the favourites, which gives you an advantage. If Spain gets through to the final stages of the tournament, something that we are all hoping will occur, then the strikers will have more chances to score. Hopefully this will be the case.

- The perfect end to a difficult season.

Yes, a very difficult campaign. Before starting a season you hope that it will be your best to date, that you will win silverware, that you will stay clear of injury… but the complete opposite has happened. But you always get another chance and this summer there’s the World Cup to look forward to. The poor domestic season is now behind me, and now I want to end the season in the best way possible, writing a new page in Spain’s football history.

- Fernando Torres is not for sale?

Absolutely. I want to focus on Spain and on winning the World Cup. An injury put an end to my season back in England and since then I have been working day and night to be here. I never stopped believing that I could make it as this means a lot to all of us here.

- Did you see Atletico’s Europe League triumph?

Yes, I was sat in front of the television watching how Atletico conquered a European trophy once again. It was great to see everyone- fans, employees, former teammates- people I have known since I was a kid. It was something that always seemed to be so far away. I was very happy for everyone involved. I was nervous throughout the King’s Cup Final (Atletico lost to Sevilla 2-0), but the club is on the right path as long as they can build on their recent success. It’s not easy staying at the top, it’s the hardest part.

- A what about the possibility of Jose Mourinho moving to La Liga?

He’s a manager who has enjoyed success at all of the clubs he has coached. He’s a natural born winner, someone who likes a challenge and I’m sure that he will do well wherever he decides to coach.