Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres
After enjoying a dream first season at Anfield, Spanish star Fernando Torres is loving life in Liverpool. Kick It Out caught up with one of world football’s brightest stars…
Fernando. You’ve been a revelation since arriving in this country. Were you surprised at how easily you've settled in at Liverpool - and at how quickly you seem to have adapted to the English game?
Living in another country and playing in another league is a very rewarding. Family, friends and people at the club have helped me settle in quickly, and this has helped my performances on the pitch.
The Liverpool squad includes players from all over the world many from different cultures and backgrounds. Does this mix help players learn about the different communities from around the world?
Yes. Football provides a great platform for people to come together. On a professional level, we can learn from each others playing style when we’re in training. But on a personal level, we can share experiences about religion, language and culture. Football can educate people about so many different things.
You play for the Spain national team. Winning the European Championship must have been a wonderful experience…
It was one of the greatest nights of my life. To be part of it was one thing, but to score the winning goal was a dream come true. Like any footballer, playing for your country gives a certain sense of pride and winning a major tournament like the Euro was a special moment in my and teammates career.
A lot of disabled fans talk about the enormous sacrifices they make to get to games, the difficulties they face. From a players perspective what does that mean to you?
As players, we appreciate and respect each and every one of our fans that watch us every week. Particular admiration goes to those who may face barriers, such as a disability, to make their presence felt too.
How do you feel about the work Kick It Out does?
Racism has no place in any sport or society in general. We must speak out against it wherever it occurs. Kick It Out’s work helps raise awareness of such things.
An abridged version of this interview appears in this year's One Game, One Community publication, which can be viewed in full by clicking here.
You can also purchase One Game, One Community publications by clicking here.
