FERNANDO TORRES has picked the best XI of players he played alongside during his glittering career – and put the Steven Gerrard vs Frank Lampard debate to bed.
The Spain star, 36, recently hung up his boots after stints at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, AC Milan and Sagan Tosu.
Having also played in his nation’s Euro 2008 and 2012 triumphs – and the 2010 World Cup – Torres has had some highly talented team-mates down the years.
Check out who makes his XI, below…
DEFENCE
Jan Oblak, John Terry, Carles Puyol, Diego Godin
TWO from Atletico Madrid – the masters of defending – one from Chelsea and one from Spain…
Torres has plumped for Oblak in goal, with the Slovenian stopper arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet at present.
Terry makes it into the XI after Torres’ brief spell at Chelsea, while Spain team-mate Puyol and Atleti pal Godin form a rock-solid back-three.
Torres named Gerrard over Lampard in his attacking midfield slotCredit: PA:Press Association
MIDFIELD
Javier Mascherano, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard
IN a four-man midfield, THREE Liverpool stars make the cut.
And leading the headlines is the inclusion of Stevie G, who edges out Lampard in the starting XI – playing just off the strikers.
It’s not too much of a surprise given Torres called the Kop idol his best-ever team-mate on announcing his retirement.
Mascherano and Alonso join Gerrard in the middle, with the Argentine at the base of the diamond.
Also in the midfield is Spain team-mate Xavi – helping form a centre-mid Xavi-Alonso partnership.
ATTACK
Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, David Villa
UP FRONT, Torres has picked himself to lead the line.
In his prime he was possibly the best striker on the planet.
He’s joined by Spain team-mates Villa and Iniesta in providing a threat going forward – two of his country’s all-time greats.
Torres named David Villa as his partner in attack of his best XI
Watch Steven Gerrard’s testimonial video message to old Liverpool team-mate Fernando Torres after the Spaniard’s final game
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
