3) Fernando Torres (Spain)
Fernando Torres has experienced a resurgence this past season, on loan at Atletico Madrid from Italian club AC Milan. His goals helped Atleti reach the final of the UEFA Champions League and finish third place in the La Liga after competing for top honours throughout the season.
Torres has not played for the national team since being picked for Spain’s final group game match in the 2014 World Cup with coach Vicente Del Bosque opting for a new look side post the World Cup debacle.
Big occasions seem to get the best out of El Nino, scoring crucial goals on the way to winning the Euro in 2008 and 2012, as well as the World Cup in 2010, completing a hat-trick of titles for Spain. He also won the award for the top scorer at the Euros in 2012.
Torres’ penchant for the big stage and international tournament experience could have come in handy to a young Spanish side trying to live up to the legacy left behind by the Spanish generation. Aged 32, it would have also given Torres a final chance to redeem himself on the international stage.
