Ferran Torres just scored the single goal to help Spain win the World Cup. So, who’s Ferran Torres?
Here are five facts about him you probably didn’t know of.
First goal of the tournament
Coming off the bench as a 62nd-minute substitute, Ferran Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and buried a left-footed shot in the 106th minute, just 39 seconds into the second half of extra time, to give Spain a 1-0 win over Argentina.
It was his first goal of the entire tournament, but it was the one that mattered most. He’s a Barcelona forward, and he plays his club football alongside the very teammates who set up his moment.
Leap-year baby
He’s a genuine leap-day baby. He was born on 29 February 2000 in Foios, a small village near Valencia in Spain, which technically means he only has a “real” birthday once every four years.
Ferran was brought up mainly by his mother, MarÃa Dolores GarcÃa Alcover, in a modest home with a small garden where he spent countless hours practising football. His grandfather was one of his earliest football companions, regularly playing with him in the backyard, and his parents consistently reminded him to stay humble and well-behaved.
Super close to his sister
He’s especially close to his older sister, Arantxa. The two share one of the closest bonds in his life, and while playing for Manchester City, the siblings even got matching tattoos as a tribute to their relationship.
Arantxa is often described as the keeper of his childhood stories, someone who has been by his side throughout his rise.
His nickname
His nickname is “El Tiburón,” meaning “The Shark.” He adopted the shark identity to represent persistence, resilience and an aggressive attacking mentality, and it reflects a career in which he’s had to overcome criticism and dips in confidence. A lifelong Valencia supporter, he joined the club’s youth academy at just six years old and idolised former Spain striker David Villa growing up.
Relationship status
Off the pitch, he keeps his private life fairly low-key. Ferran was previously in a relationship with Sira MartÃnez, an accomplished equestrian athlete and the daughter of former Spain coach Luis Enrique, before the couple separated amicably in 2023.
He has since kept his relationship status private, choosing to focus on his football with Barcelona and Spain.
