Fernando Torres said after Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Europa League final that he had now achieved his childhood dream. The striker will leave his boyhood club after the final round of fixtures this weekend and said it was the best way possible for him to say farewell.

“On a personal level it was a fantastic final and now it’s time to enjoy my last game with Atletico, because the end is coming and I know it’s going to be very difficult,” Torres explained to the media afterwards.

“I feel a happiness that is hard to describe since, after a long time, the opportunity to return to this champion team became a reality and the dream I had as a child came true.

“I am proud to belong to this group of players that has changed the history of the club. This is not a title, it’s much more, the beginning of something bigger.

“Belonging to this group is above winning any title, because they are hard-working and humble people who know what Atletico is about.

“I am proud of them and I dedicate this trophy to all the Atleti fans,” concluded Torres.