Benitez: Torres Is The New Marcelino

Jun 30, 2008 2:37:34 PM

Fernando Torres' Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has spoken of his pride in watching the striker write his name into European football folklore...

The pressure was on Spain hitman Fernando Torres on Sunday. With Euro 2008's top scorer David Villa injured and no major honours in the modern day, the responsibility fell to El Niño to gun La Roja to a final victory over Germany.

He did just that, scoring the only goal of the game, much to the delight of club boss and countryman Rafael Benitez.

Liverpool boss Rafa feels that Torres dealt well with the media scrutiny focused on both he and the Spain camp and had a fine Championships overall.

Furthermore, he's touted the expolits of Torres 2008 to be held in the same esteem as 1964 Bernabéu hero Marcelino, who scored the late Euros winner against the USSR.

Benitez said of the 24-year-old: "I am very proud of Fernando, especially after he has been criticised from some journalists in Spain.

"Everyone remembers the Marcelino goal from 44 years ago, and the last final Spain were in was 24 years ago.

"Now people will talk about Torres in the same way, I am very proud of him and what he has achieved."

Duncan Robertson, Goal.com

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