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Torres Hails Priceless Ronaldo

Monday, 26 May 2008

Liverpool star Fernando Torres has indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo would be a great signing - at almost any price...

Torres The Portuguese international has been strongly linked with a record-breaking transfer in the summer, with Real Madrid thought to be his most likely destination.

And Torres, whose club is one that have suffered from Ronaldo's glittering form, has guaranteed that almost any figure offered to sign the Manchester United star would pay off.

"If Real Madrid sign him, it would be a great signing," Torres said upon his arrival in Madrid. "People talk about huge fees but that's not for me to rate."

The 24-year-old striker, who joined today the Spanish national squad, is confident that, after a great season at Liverpool, he can now "end this campaign in a memorable way."

"For me, it would be the perfect year, a good season at Liverpool and the trophy at Euro are the best I can think of," Torres indicated.

"Expectations are high, we all have the same desire to win, but we have to remember Euro 2004 in Portugal, which was a huge disappointment because everyone was talking about the Quarter-finals before the tournament began and we did not pass the group phase."

"Everyone talks about the Quarter-finals, but for that we have to win three games and that's our goal."

"It's pointless to say we are going to be champions since we all think that we can be, or how far we can go, except that we have to think game by game."

No Euro Favourites

When asked about who he thinks to be favourite to lift the Euro trophy, Torres stressed that he does not like to talk about that, but named Italy, France and Germany because those are squads that "are always there."

"They can be favourite because they have more titles, but there can always be a surprise," he said.

The Liverpool striker mentioned that Portugal can go far in the tournament, stating that Cristiano Ronaldo may play a crucial role in the squad's campaign.

"Portugal have a great squad, they reached the final of the last Euro and the Semi-finals of the World Cup, we have to keep that in mind. They are growing and have one of the best players in the world, Ronaldo, in great form and they will take advantage of that."

Spanish Leadership

Torres added that he does not feel like the leader of the Spanish national squad, saying that is something that has to be decided on the field.

"To feel like a leader, the coach and your team-mates have to say you are a leader, and win that status on the field. What matters is what you do on the field," he noted.

"We all want to be at our best and be the reference of the team, we now have a big tournament and that's where things are seen."

On the absence of Real Madrid's striker, Raul, from Luis Aragonés' selection, Torres stated: "He was an example and still is to every Spanish. A model of a footballer so it is normal that people talk about him and ask for him, because if he was just one more it would not happen."

Happy At 'Pool

Although Torres has been linked with a summer move away from Anfield, he ensured that he is very happy with life at Liverpool.

"I prefer being away from these matters and focus on Euro, which is the most important thing at the moment. Then I will go on vacations and return to Liverpool."

When asked about what he would feel if he was to face his former club, Atletico Madrid, for the Champions League, he said: "It would be an unpleasant situation, because one of the two would have to go.

"They are back to the Champions League after so long, this is a year to be happy and to enjoy. I am sure they will be desperate to win the qualifying game and be the team the fans want them to be.

"That's the first step of all. The complicated thing now is to stay there," he added.

Luís Mira, Goal.com