Fernando Torres’ entire tournament was the embodiment of his country’s history from the last time they won the European Championships to their successful triumph in Vienna. Heavy expectations growing into a major competition only to bitterly disappoint.
For “El Nino”, in all honesty, the harsh treatment that he ridiculously got from some in the press, whether they were his countrymen or not, was so bad it made TMZ.com a reputable news source. They acted like he blew had legitimate chance after chance constantly, creating a narrative for some who may not have watched the tournament thoroughly (to each his own I guess) to assume that he was blowing it again for the “Rojo y Armarillo.”
With the roles reversed, it was David Villa who became the star man instead of the Liverpool forward, and you know there were some fools who thought literally that he should have been dropped for Cesc Fabregas in the starting lineup. Of course, with Villa out for the final against Germany, Luis Aragones didn’t even have to think about any such stupidity, and most importantly, Torres wasn’t fazed at all. The striker is accustomed to this, because he has been a polarizing figure ever since his emergence on the world since in 2003:
Pegged to be a superstar at Euro 2004 at the age of 20, only to engulf himself as part of the latest disappointment team for the Spanish.
Never ascending to the consistency of a world class 20 goal scorer like many thought he would be when he was Atletico Madrid and nothing less.
Failing to take the next level again along with his country two years ago at the World Cup in Germany.
And being already labeled as a bust and a terrible signing when Rafa Benitiez looked to everyone to have overpaid for him last summer, when Torres didn’t even step onto to the Anfield pitch. In four years Torres has felt his share of criticism. Whether some were wanted and some undeserved, the man had eviscerated all those talks about not being a world class forward in the Barclays Premier League this recent season.
Once again, his credentials were being placed under the microscope internationally after failing to register any goals going into the final. Was he too tired for the longest season of his domestic career? Was he not a step slow in making the runs that would get him quality service from Xavi or Andres Iniesta? Was he unlucky to not be in the spots that his partner Villa placed himself in the tournament? Was he feeling the pressure?
Sadly, there were enough voices asking this question. The one that told the real story instead of idiotic near-jerk reactions where you thought some writers needed to start breathing because oxygen couldn’t have been going in their heads with their irrational statements.
Was the press not focusing on all the other unselfish things that he was doing on the field?
No one talked about Torres giving space to Villa to exploit the Russians in their convincing opening match win. No one gave him credit for his intense work rate and effort against the impervious Italians, focusing more on him getting subbed out than his commendable on the field performance. And no one wanted to give him any credit for his diligence in the rematch against Guus Hiddink’s side. Fernando Torres was not coming through they said, through Spain was scoring two goals a match. But since he didn’t score the goals, I guess that means he wasn’t doing a damn thing, right?
Well for those foolish doubters, Torres certainly got the last laugh. His winning goal in the 33rd minute passed the terrifically offensive but just decent defending fullback Philip Lahm to toe poke one past Jens Lehmann quieted all the doubters of both him and the nation he plays for. It was a feeling of utter satisfaction for his man and his state, ending a 44 year drought of being labeled soccer’s undisputed underachievers with their 1-0 win over Germany.
Enthralled with his forwards performance, the tough minded Luis Aragones showed signs of light-hearted rapture coincided with his team and his nation’s jubilation. Highlighted in his happiness was the approbation he gave to Torres.
“Fernando is a great player for Liverpool and for our team and he can go anywhere because he has really extraordinary speed and he knows how to dribble,” said Aragones after being lifted up and down by his players after the match. “We always tell him he's a player who is so young that he can learn to do everything and there is no doubt he can be one of the best players in the world.”
For Spain, of course there were plenty of other heroes by Torres. Xavi, who seems will finally get the recognition he deserves as of the best midfielders in the sport instead of just being “underrated”, was named the player of the tournament. But it could be argued that he wasn’t the most influential middle man for this loaded Armada.
Cesc Fabregas was arguably the most critical man in this team’s side, handling Aragones’ decision of starting on the bench while Xavi’s partner was Marcos Senna with tremendous professionalism about. He knew he would get his chance to shine, and he definitely showed why he’s just as good as his Barcelona counterpart. Senna has created the argument that he and not Javier Mascherano is the best holding midfielder in the world right now with his top shelf performances. If the Villarreal man is challenging Mascherano, than Iker Castillas is threatening Gigi Buffon heavily on Earth’s premiere goalkeeper front. And Carlos Puyol proved all the doubters of his age wrong by putting in a Fabio Cannavaro type effort in this tournament.
All of them were able to place their staple on Euro 2008 from the get-go, covering any frailties that Torres may have had coming into the final. But when they were no longer able to shield him from their impressive three weeks, El Nino stormed in just in time to be at the center of the party.
“I am happy because my job is to score goals and I have done my job tonight,” said the forward in total felicitation. “But this was a victory for the unity of the group - it doesn't often happen that a group gets along so well. “
Then again, maybe he was at the center of the party from the get go.
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