Few footballers represent the art of redemption quite like Ferran Torres. Once criticized and doubted, the Valencian forward now enjoys one of the brightest moments of his career, both at FC Barcelona and with the Spanish national team. His recent performances have earned him praise, goals, and a spot among Spain’s all-time top scorers.
A Season of Confidence and Goals
At 25, Ferran Torres is living his best football. This Saturday, he debuted Spain’s iconic number 7 shirt and scored in the national team’s thrashing of Georgia, reaching 23 goals in 51 caps. That tally puts him level with legends such as Sergio Ramos and Alfredo Di Stéfano and only three goals behind Emilio Butragueño.
With nine goals already this season between club and country, Ferran has cemented his starting place ahead of Robert Lewandowski in several matches. His tally of 51 goals for Barcelona includes emotional milestones, like his strike against Elche dedicated to his hometown of Valencia and his goal in Bruges, marking another special chapter in his story.
Under Hansi Flick, Ferran has been a near-permanent fixture in Barça’s attack, missing only two games so far this season. “He feels in the best form of his life, settled as a striker, and convinced that even better days are ahead,” say people close to the player.
From Tears to Transformation
But the road to this moment wasn’t easy. When Ferran joined Barcelona in January 2022 for 55 million euros from Manchester City, expectations were enormous. He contributed seven goals in 26 matches, helping the team qualify for the Champions League, yet frustration followed. Fans will remember his tears after a Europa League clash against Napoli, when the pressure became too much to bear.
The 2022–23 season was even harder. He lost his starting spot, managed just seven goals in 45 games, and often faced whistles from the Camp Nou crowd. That was when Ferran realized he needed help. “He wasn’t himself anymore,” those close to him explained. “He couldn’t handle the pressure and decided to see a psychologist.”
That professional was José Ángel Caperán, a sports psychologist who also works with players like Eric García. The partnership proved essential. “Mental training is as important as physical work. Caperán became someone Ferran could fully trust,” they say.
The Power of the Mind and the Birth of “El Tiburón”
Ferran himself has spoken candidly about that period. “Regaining self-confidence is the hardest thing. When you lose it, you doubt everything, and returning to your best level feels impossible. You have to be mentally focused and clear about what you want. Only then does confidence return.”
His journey toward rediscovery found inspiration in an unlikely source: MMA fighter Ilia Topuria. In the summer of 2023, Ferran met the Spanish-Georgian champion and witnessed his team’s unity and support. That experience changed him. From it came the now-famous nickname “El Tiburón” (The Shark), after Topuria’s quote: “There’s only one shark. The rest are just sardines.”
After returning from that trip, Ferran’s transformation was undeniable. In the 2023–24 preseason, he started scoring regularly, tallying 11 goals across competitions and becoming one of Barça’s most reliable attackers.
Redemption Under Hansi Flick
Last season ended with 19 goals and 7 assists, including six goals in the Copa del Rey, where he was the tournament’s top scorer and MVP of the final. His equalizer in that match forced extra time and helped Barcelona secure the trophy.
This year, he continues as Barça’s starting number 9, combining intensity, humility, and leadership. His contract runs until 2027, and Deco is already working on a renewal. “He wants to stay, and the club wants him to stay,” sources confirm.
Ferran Torres has come full circle. Once haunted by doubt, he now thrives as one of Barcelona’s most dependable and passionate players. The boy who once cried on the pitch has become the Shark of the Camp Nou.
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