Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has claimed that winning the Champions League trophy in 2012 when he was at Chelsea cannot be compared if his side were to win the title this season. The Rojiblancos face off against derby rivals Real Madrid on Friday at the illustrious San Siro in Milan.
Torres spent three-and-a-half seasons at Chelsea after making a then British transfer record £50m move from Liverpool. But his time at Stamford Bridge saw his stock fall after he failed to reach the heights he did with Liverpool.
A feared striker during his time at Anfield, Torres struggled to get on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge, scoring only 45 goals in 172 appearances. At Liverpool, he had scored 81 goals in 142 appearances.
Speaking ahead of the big game this weekend, Torres said: “Nothing would beat winning the Champions League with Atletico.
“I won it with Chelsea, but I was not in a good place,” he explained. “I did not feel I was being treated well at the time. I felt lost.”
Although Torres was second-choice to Didier Drogba, he did play a crucial role in the 2012 semi-finals when his late goal in the second leg ensured Chelsea beat Barcelona outright on aggregate to eliminate the Catalan club. Torres also came on as a substitute in the final after the Blues went 1-0 down and won the corner that helped Drogba equalise two minutes from full time before they went on to win in the penalty shootout.
The next season was an improvement for Torres after he scored 22 goals but his final season only saw him score 11 goals. Torres failed to adapt to Chelsea’s style of play and by the time Jose Mourinho returned, he was shipped off to AC Milan before his boyhood club Atletico took him on loan.
“I don't want to talk about those moments,” Torres continued. “My career is going so well, and I feel so at home and full of confidence, that I do not want to relive those days.”
Torres happy at Atletico and playing under Simeone
Indeed, while Torres may never reach the heights he did during his first stint, he has managed to find the net 12 times this season. Paired with Antoine Griezmann up front, Atletico have reached their second final in three years while also staying in the La Liga title race up until the second last game week.
“I have never been happier. I love being back [at Atletico Madrid], and hope I can stay,” Torres said.
“I am one of the senior players now and give advice where I can, but I am also learning from the younger players. You can feed off their energy.”
Speaking about the squad and manager Diego Simeone, a former player he actually captained in his first stint at Atletico, he praised his Argentine boss for the way he raised the club’s profile and made them a force to reckon with.
“We all play for each other,” El Nino explained. “The coach has built a mentality where we would all die for each other out there.
“Simeone has built something special here. We are no longer in awe of where Real Madrid and Barcelona are at. We are at the same level as them, and so much of that is down to Simeone.
“I am sure some of the biggest club's in England would be interested in him, but he is happy here.”
