Fernando Torres admits he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid for the long haul as “my future is to win something here”.
Torres’ 18-month loan deal from Milan expires at the end of the season, while he is also due to become a free agent, but he made it clear he only had eyes on prolonging his spell back home.
“It isn’t the time to listen to offers, neither do I have any interest in doing so,” he told Cadena COPE.
“I want to stay at Atleti. My future is to win something here.
“I haven’t done that yet, but I have the great fortune of playing where I want.
“I don’t know when [on whether he will be offered a new deal], but I want to enjoy every game [until the end of the season].
“Luis [Aragones] taught me everything, I reached the levels I dreamed of under [Rafa] Benitez and El Cholo [Simeone] brought me home.
“[On Lionel Messi’s Cruyff penalty], of course it’s not a lack of respect.
“There’s a lot of commitment [among the players]. We’ve gone to dinner many times [together] and we’re all one family.
“[On the national team], the transitions are necessary, but they must be carried out properly.
“The players who are leaving have to do it in a certain way. You don’t leave the national team, the national team leaves you. I’ll never leave her.
“I stayed on 99 goals for many months, but it wasn’t an undue burden. The team were winning and not lacking in anything.
“The moment I scored my 100th goal and how the fans stayed after the game overcame me. It was very emotional.
“I want to have a leading role [at Atleti]. Since arriving here, I haven’t had continuity.
“Maybe I haven’t earned it, but I don’t pick the team so you should ask Cholo. I always train to play for 90 minutes, but I have to improve.
“The reality is that there are three forwards and two others, so there’s five of us.
“It’s competition, therefore I’m improving and aware that my performance has to be better.
“Playing good football is knowing how to play and Atletico know how to play. We’re playing very well.”
