Lewandowski watches Ferran Torres take the free kick. — © Getty Images
They had to wait a long time for it in the Catalan capital. Since the departure of Lionel Messi, no other Barça player had managed to score a free kick for the ‘Blaugrana’. Not even Robert Lewandowski. Man in form Ferran Torres (23) erased that striking statistic against Real Betis on Saturday. The Spanish attacker also received compliments from coach Xavi for his strong start to the season and mental toughness.
On May 2, 2021, Messi kicked an unprecedented free kick past the hopeless Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen at the Estadio Mestalla. On September 16, 2023, Torres did that trick again for the first time in more than two years. It was a striking statistic, but Barcelona’s free-kick drought is finally over.
Torres made the switch from Manchester City to Barcelona in the winter of 2022 for around 45 million euros. However, the forward failed to live up to the expectations associated with his price tag during his first season at Camp Nou. Torres seemed to have no prospect of a starting place under Barça coach Xavi, but he still continued to fight for his place and with success. The Spaniard was immediately decisive for the competition from the start Blaugrana and has already scored three times in four games this season.
Mental toughness
Barcelona’s number 7 could therefore count on praise from his coach. “During the summer he told me he wanted to stay at all costs. His only goal was to succeed at Barça,” said Xavi. “Almost no one believed in him, but he proved himself. Ferran has incredible mental toughness.”
Discharge at Ferran Torres. — © Getty Images
