Former Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is just one game away from retirement, as he finishes his performances for J1 League club Sagan Tosu.
On Friday, the Spaniard will play against Vissel Kobe (a team which features the likes of Andres Iniesta and David Villa) and hang his boots up.
“It’s been an amazing 18 years, more than 18 years playing football,” he said ahead of his final match as cited by Sky Sports.
“I won many things. I won the respect of world football, which is the most important thing for me, and now I have only one game left.
“So, I will make sure that I will enjoy from the first until the last minute and hopefully we can get the three points, which are very important for us, and hopefully I can score my last goal at home in front of Sagan Tosu fans.
“It’s going to be a really special game for me, but it’s not going to change the way I feel about my career. It’s been fantastic. Much better than I could expect when I was a kid. So, I’m really grateful for what I did and really grateful to all my fans around the world.
“I am really looking forward to that match [against Vissel Kobe], and after the final whistle, it will be over. Whatever happens on that day, my football career has been fantastic. I am very proud of it.”
Fernando Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool in a £50m-move in January 2011. His late goal against Barcelona in April 2012 sent the Blues to the Champions League final, which they eventually won vs Bayern Munich. Besides Champions League, Torres has won Europa League and FA Cup with Chelsea.