The forward looked back at the rise of Spain on the international football scene and ahead to this summer’s World Cup at a press conference held at the team’s headquarters. Torres was joined by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Valencia playmaker David Silva.

The favourites tag carried by Spain is something you “earn on the back of recent results. Back home we have always been considered as favourites, but it hasn’t been the same abroad. But now everyone is talking about Spain and how we are the team to beat. We should be proud and this should spur us on. We will arrive in South Africa with the experience under our belts of having won the European Championships. We know how to compete and how to win but there’s also the experience we had at the Confederations Cup, which will serve as a lesson. The World Cup is another challenge, and a beautiful one at that."

The current squad of 23 players, with a large contingent having won the 2008 European Championships, has the perfect mix of youth and experience. “The foundations are the same, but we have improved in many areas. We all know one another really well, we have learnt from the Confederations Cup, and we are still hungry for more success. This is our chance and we have to make the most of it. Our time has come and we want to keep put Spain on the World football map by setting a precedent by winning a World Cup, or in the future another European Championship.”

The strike partnership of Torres and Villa is regarded as one of the most lethal on the international scene. “It’s an honour to be a part of this team. When you play for Spain it’s almost expected that the strikers in the team will be in running for goalscoring awards, especially if you look at the quality players you have playing behind you. Anybody in my position would say the same. To have one of the Spain forwards in the hunt for the top goalscorer’s award is an added motivation. And being in the race for the Golden Boot would almost certainly mean that the team has had a good tournament and reached the final. Hopefully events will turn out exactly like this.”

Torres also analysed his recovery process: “I’m very happy. I had surgery about five weeks ago and the estimated time of recovery is six weeks. If all goes well, then everything will turn out as planned, I will able to up the training. We have to remain cautious but at the same we have to remain optimistic. After suffering an injury a player needs time to get fully match fit, and not a day has gone by when I haven’t trained. I hope to be fresh and 100% fit before the tournament kicks-off”.