Juanfran: "These years have been wonderful, incredible… The best of my career"
Juanfran Torres said farewell to Atlético de Madrid during an event at the Wanda Metropolitano Auditorium. The full-back was accompanied by the Atleti Family as we honoured all that he achieved in his career at our club: 355 games, seven trophies and the love of every fan. See you soon, Juanfran!
Juanfran Torres on Thursday announced at an event at the Wanda Metropolitano Auditorium that he would say goodbye to Atlético de Madrid this season. He will do so after becoming a legend of our club. The Spaniard arrived at Atleti in December 2010 and has since played 355 matches at our club while earning the love of all our fans thanks to his commitment and courage. In these almost nine years, the full-back has won one LaLiga, two Europa Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. He was one of our captains during the last of these title wins – the UEFA Super Cup, which was won in Tallinn against Real Madrid.
Among the attendees were our president Enrique Cerezo, CEO Miguel Ángel Gil, vice-president Antonio Alonso, shareholder Miguel Pérez, club directors Clemente Villaverde and Lázaro Albarracín, several first team players and former footballers and members of the coaching staff.
Juanfran thanked everybody and said that these years had been the best of his career.
“These are my last days at Atlético de Madrid. I hope to come back soon because this is my home. These years have been wonderful, incredible… The best of my career. It’s an honour to be considered a legend of this club. I’ll come back soon, because I’m an Atlético de Madrid fan for all that they’ve given me. I thank the Atléticos very much for loving me, for being proud of me. When they sing my name it’s an incredible feeling, even more so than winning trophies,” our full-back said.
Enrique Cerezo praised Juanfran during the event.
“From his first training session until Saturday’s game against Levante, in which he wore the captain’s armband, Juanfran has been the perfect example of a player who has given his all defending the shirt and the badge. He was committed, he represented the club’s values, helped the new players and shared his optimism and courage. We hope that our Academy players can follow his footsteps,” our president said.
Miguel Ángel Gil also addressed the Spaniard, of whom he spoke highly.
“It’s an honour for the Atlético de Madrid family to have had you as a player, a professional and, above all, as a person,” our CEO said.
Some of his friends and past and present teammates such as Gabi, Tiago and Raúl García paid tribute to Juanfran, and presented him with a shirt signed by our current squad. Moreover, our legendary right-backs Carlos Aguilera and Tomás Reñones presented Juanfran with a plaque commemorating his 355 games at our club.
Other former players such as Fernando Torres, David Villa, Radamel Falcao and Mario Suárez – who were unable to attend the event – sent him videos in which they wished him the best for the future.
Juanfran closed the event by thanking and praising the club.
“You have my heart. I want to thank Atlético de Madrid for letting me be a part of it. The best club in the world is Atlético de Madrid,” the Spaniard said.
See you soon, Juanfran!
