Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Champions League success would be 'a dream come true' for Fernando Torres

 

Ben Rumsby
Wednesday 18 April 2012 12:37 BST
Comments
Fernando Torres has improved since Roberto Di Matteo took over
Fernando Torres has improved since Roberto Di Matteo took over

Fernando Torres has revealed he always dreamt more about winning the Champions League than the World Cup.

Torres, who is hoping to start Chelsea's Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona tonight, has tasted both World Cup and European Championship glory with Spain in the last four years.

But the striker has yet to win a major trophy at club level, a blot on his CV that prompted his record-breaking £50million move to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool almost 15 months ago.

No club has gone closer to winning the Champions League in the last decade without doing so than Chelsea, who thought buying Torres would finally lead them to that aim.

Torres told the club's official website: "I know the ambitions this club have in terms of winning the Champions League, but it's the same as what I have myself. It's something I dreamt about as a youngster growing up.

"I never really thought about winning the World Cup as I thought it was impossible, but now I have achieved that and I know what it feels like, so to win the Champions League would be a dream come true.

"It was the only trophy I wanted as a kid, to hold it in my arms, and if we do manage to win it, I'm sure it will be one of the greatest moments of my life."

Torres, who ended last season empty handed after his move south looked to have backfired, also has an FA Cup final against former club Liverpool to look forward to.

He added: "There isn't one single club in the world that can guarantee trophies, but top teams like Chelsea are always fighting for them, so now it's time to be patient, build a great team and it's good for me to be involved with such a good side, like the one we have now.

"There's still one month left in the season, we're in the final of the FA Cup, the semi-finals of the Champions League and this is what I want.

"Whether you win or not, that is down to football, but we are there and that's the main thing."

Torres was in danger of being branded the most expensive flop in football history before Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as Chelsea manager six weeks ago.

He finally ended a run of more than 1,000 minutes without scoring under caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo and has begun to look the player that was once feted as the greatest striker on the planet.

Di Matteo's biggest selection dilemma ahead of tonight's game is whether to start with Torres or Didier Drogba.

Torres, who scored seven goals in 10 games against Barcelona whilst at Atletico Madrid, said: "I have a good record against Barcelona.

"They are the type of team you have to defend well against and play on the counter-attack, which is the type of game I enjoy.

"When I was at Atletico Madrid, we won at the Camp Nou two or three times.

"I certainly don't feel as if I have anything to prove against Spanish opposition."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in