Number one in Spain and fifth in the World. With the start of the World Cup less than 24 hours away, Fernando Torres is in the ‘top five’ players at the finals in terms of media value, according to a team of Spanish researchers from Navarra University. The Liverpool and Spain number ‘9’ has gained six decimal points since the results were last published in February this year, moving from 11.8 to 12.4. Converted into euros, according to the study the forward is valued at 63.8 million.

Fernando Torres was considered Spain’s highest profile player in the squad with the most media pull at the 2010 World Cup. The striker is joined in the ‘top ten’ by one just Spain teammate, Cesc Fabregas who has 9.8 points. Further back in twelfth is Xavi Hernandez, the midfield driving force for both club and country.

Only four players have collected more points in the study than the Liverpool marksman, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Wayne Rooney. The top five players are the same footballers who finished in the ‘top five’ in the last survey. The only change in the order is third and fourth place, with Brazilian playmaker Kaka moving above England striker Wayne Rooney.

The striker’s pulling power was evident at the Confederations Cup last summer in South Africa. Fernando Torres was one of the players most in demand from supporters during the football event, regularly signing autographs and posing for photographs with supporters. Torres’ popularity was in large part due to his exploits at Liverpool as the Premier League and Anfield club have a big following in Africa.

Spain also top the charts with 72.8 points, almost 20 points ahead of second-placed England. Further back in third are Argentina with 50.5 points, followed by France, Brazil and Portugal. These results are backed by the bookmakers, which have placed Spain as favourites for the World Cup, and also by the FIFA Rankings, where Spain are also top.