The Prodigy

Spain has had its fair share of footballing prodigies over the years and the current 'new kid on the block' drawing gasps of disbelief from the terraces is Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres.

Atletico de Madrid's Fernando Torres (R) scored the second goal 12 January, 2003 in front of Deportivo de la Coruna goalkeeper Juanmi (L) and Moroccan Naybet (C) during their Spanish League match, in Vicente Calderon Stadium Madrid. Atletico de Madrid won 3-1.. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO.

He made his Spanish league debut with Atletico at 17-years-old and by the start of the 2003-04 season he was wearing the club captain's armband having just turned 19.

After a quiet start to that season he suddenly came alive in October scoring twice in three consecutive matches before his wonder goal against Real Betis inflamed the Spanish football world to an extent that one reporter compared the goal to something out of the sci-fi movie 'The Matrix'.

With Europe's top club's sitting up and taking notice Atletico upped the boy's wages in December 2003, when he signed a contact extension with his hometown club until 2008. A four year spell in which he will earn 27 million euros, which makes him the club's top ever earner whilst still a teenager. His buy out clause remains the same as it was, a cool 90 million euros.

'El Nino'

Torres' technical brilliance seems to be increased even further by two factors: the audacity of his choice of moves and a turn of pace that leaves opponents for dead.

Atletico de Madrid's Fernando Torres (L) vies with Rayo Vallecano's Diego Mainz (R) during their Spanish League match, Atletico de Madrid against Rayo Vallecano in Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid 2 November, 2002. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO.

He is also an instinctive finisher, hammering the ball home before others have even seen the danger.

Spaniard Raul Gonzalez (C) celebrates with Fernando Torres (R) the first goal during the qualiyfing match for the Portugal 2004 European cup in Martin Valero Stadium of Elche at Alicante 10 September 2003.

His exploits and youth have seen him pick up the name 'The Kid' (El Nino in Spanish), a monica also attributed to Emilio Butragueno, the former Real Madrid and Spain striker, though in his case it had been because of a baby face.

In his first season in the Spanish first division (2002-03) he scored 13 goals in 29 games as well as spraying the ball around to his partners in an unselfish manner.

His obvious talent and collective qualities prompted Spain coach Inaki Saez to give him his international debut in a 3-0 home win over Euro 2004 hosts and first round rivals Portugal.

In that match the youngster was replaced in the second half by Deportivo veteran Valeron, but come Euro 2004 it could well be 'the Kid' who plays the star turn.

Saez of course knows Torres well, he coached to striker to victory in the Under-16 European Championships of 2001 and then the Under-19 European Championships in 2002.

A front line in the senior team featuring Raul and Torres supported by Valeron is already setting Spanish fans' mouths watering at the prospect. Portugal Russia and Greece their first round rivals will be less excited by the prospect.