Miguel Torres Gómez

Miguel Torres Gómez (Spanish pronunciation: [miˈɣel ˈtores]; born 28 January 1986 in Madrid) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Getafe CF in La Liga. Usually a right defender, he is equally at ease on the other flank.

Club career

Real Madrid

Torres joined Real Madrid's junior teams at the age of 12. On 12 July 2007, he signed his first professional contract for the first team through 2013, joining the first team permanently from Real Madrid Castilla.

Torres made his senior debut against Écija Balompié as a starter, in a Copa del Rey contest on 25 October 2006, because of injuries to first team defenders Fabio Cannavaro, Cicinho and Míchel Salgado. He also played in the return leg as a substitute, replacing Sergio Ramos in the 80th minute, and also started in both cup matches against Real Betis, sporting jersey #38 in these games and throughout the season.

Torres made his La Liga debut in his fourth consecutive appearance for Real Madrid, playing the whole 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza on 14 January 2007 (1–0 home win). He kept his place in the side the following week for the game against RCD Mallorca, with that performance leading then-coach Fabio Capello to state: "It is not easy to find a player with as much personality and talent in attack and defence as Torres".

On 10 February 2007, in the match against Real Sociedad, Torres made his first assist. After a quick run on the left flank he provided a left-footed (he is right-footed by nature) cross for Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose header found the net, as Madrid came from behind to win it away 2–1.

With Torres as an important piece (first appearing in round 18, he only missed three contests until the end of the season, starting in all but one), Real Madrid won its 30th league title. However, he was unable to play in the deciding game against Mallorca due to a hamstring tear.

Although Torres appeared in more league games in the following season, he would start significantly less (as Madrid repeated league honours), primarily due to the signing of Argentine Gabriel Heinze. In that season, he switched back to number 22, which he previously wore with Castilla.

Getafe

For 2009–10, Torres changed to #2, following Salgado's departure to Blackburn Rovers. However, on 31 August – transfer deadline day – he moved to neighbours Getafe CF on a five-year contract, with Real having the option to rebuy in the first two.^[1]

In the 2011–12 season, under new manager Luis García, Torres was challenged by new signing Juan Valera for the right-back position, but still appeared in more than 20 league games as the Madrid outskirts team again retained its division status. On 16 April 2012, he scored his first goal as a senior, netting the opener in a 5–1 home win against Sevilla FC.^[2]

International career

Torres made his debut for the Spanish under-21 team on 6 February 2007 in a 2–2 draw against England, remaining a regular in subsequent matches.

Club statistics

(correct as of 31 May 2009)

Honours

Real Madrid

• Spanish League: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Spanish Supercup: 2008; Runner-up 2007

References

External links

• Getafe official profile (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• Futbolme profile (Spanish)
• Transfermarkt profile

v t e Spain squad – 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship 1 Roberto 2 Torres 3 Monreal 4 J. García 5 Torrejón 6 Javi Martínez 7 Sisi 8 R. García 9 Bojan 10 Jurado 11 Granero 12 Azpilicueta 13 Asenjo 14 S. Sánchez 15 Chico 16 Marcano 17 Capel 18 M. Suárez 19 Xisco 20 J. Pereira 21 Adrián 22 León 23 Adán Coach: López Caro