Panaji: Nine years ago, Ferran Torres couldn’t hide his disappointment as he picked up the silver medal after the FIFA U-17 World Cup final in Kolkata. In the 2017 tournament, the Spain winger was in sublime form all through the tournament, but it all went south for the European champions when it mattered most. That’s when young Torres’s tears flowed.As Torres walked off the podium after being awarded the silver medal by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, he simply pulled up his jersey and covered his face. The disappointment of losing a final like this was too much to bear.In the Kolkata final, Spain had taken a two-goal lead just after the half-hour mark against England , but it were the Young Lions who went on to win the trophy when they came from behind to thump their opponents 5-2 in a contest that has lived long in memory.In New York on Sunday, in another final, Torres came on as a second-half substitute for Spain. This time, the forward seemed determined to wipe out those memories from Kolkata. And he did it in great style, on the biggest stage of them all, against defending champions Argentina.His 106th minute goal – his first of the tournament — that won Spain their second World Cup crown on a magnificent day in New York made a journey that began in 2017, complete. And so much sweeter.Those following the action that day in Kolkata in 2017, remember how Spain were inconsolable after the loss and that Torres was particularly distraught.“Spain were inconsolable after the loss and I remember Torres was particularly distraught,” said Joy Bhattacharjya, project director for the U-17 World Cup in 2017. “The atmosphere for the final was terrific. Kolkata was packed to see some of the finest youngsters in action. They were all special. It was perhaps one of the greatest football sights I had seen. Spain started so well, but once England pulled a goal back, they just went berserk.”
On Monday, Torres shared a throwback photo from 2010 posing with the trophy Spain won in South Africa
The U17 World Cup attracted the world’s most promising youngsters. The only one missing was Vinicius Junior, who was not released for Brazil national duty by Real Madrid, following his high-profile move from Flamengo to the Spanish capital. The others were all there, and delivered, like Phil Foden in the final for England. Torres and Foden would soon end up as teammates under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.Torres had two goals and two assists but was somewhat overshadowed by six-goal hero and captain Abel Ruiz, who later won an Olympic gold with Spain. Barcelona reserves star Sergio Gomez, who won the Silver Ball, was another player who made heads turn in India.Torres is not the only player who featured for Spain at the U-17 World Cup and starred for his country at the World Cup final against Argentina. Eric Garcia was there too. The defender had just one substitute appearance in India, but in New York, he played his role to perfection in extra time against the world champions.“At this World Cup, whenever Torres came on to the field, I told myself, ‘this one is our boy’,” said Bhattacharjya.
