Eighteen years later... We say goodbye to Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres made his debut in professional football on May 27, 2001, playing at the Estadio Vicente Calderon in the final minutes of Atletico Madrid's clash against Leganes in the Segunda Division.

Eighteen years later, the temple of Manzanares is being demolished. Eighteen years later, both teams are in LaLiga Santander. In fact, they will meet on Sunday, maybe because everything is meant to be.

Eighteen years later, in fact, Spanish football has a stadium which is called the Estadio Fernando Torres, Fuenlabrada's home. He is from Fuenlabrada.

Eighteen years later, Fernando Torres will wave goodbye to professional football on August 23, 2019, at the Best Amenity Stadium (a funny name...) in a battle between Sagan Tosu and Vissel Kobe in the J1 League. Life takes us on a journey, in this case all around the world.

Eighteen years later, because dreams come true, he will take to the field, the blessed field, wearing a shirt which is designed to include a tribute to the history of Atletico, which he wanted to include.

Eighteen years later, the distance between Madrid and Tosu is over 10,000 kilometres, it's a city which few knew about until recently, when our friend moved there, but it's the same. Exactly the same.

Eighteen years later, the exercise of considering what we were then is interesting. As it has just occurred to me, I will tell you mine: I had hair on my head, I was at MARCA but with less than a year writing about Atletico; that was why I was at the Calderon that morning, I was the boyfriend of my now wife and mother of my two children, living in the Barrio del Pilar. Why don't you think about it - you might like what you find.

Eighteen years later, going back to Fernando, 'El Nino' has become a father of a family.

Eighteen years later, he is still 'El Nino'. In another 18 years, he will still be 'El Nino'. And another 18. And 18 more. As long as there is memory...

Eighteen years later, life and journalism have brought us to write so much about Fernando on so many occasions that many would think there is nothing more to say. Some idiot I know even turned down money from the rising sun for an article they ended up writing for free.

Eighteen years later, we are still at the keyboard. Because we don't know how to do anything else. Eighteen years later, we remember with ingenuity that then there was no social media. Eighteen years later, we have the certainty that few people like Torres have treated us in the way that we have had the luck to be treated by Torres as a person.

Eighteen years later, Atletico. And the Spanish national team. And Liverpool. And Chelsea. And AC Milan. And Atletico again. And Sagan Tosu. Eighteen years later, two European Championships. And a World Cup. And a Champions League. And two Europa Leagues. And an FA Cup.

Eighteen years later, Atletico above all else. The flag on that bus. The badge on that heart. Eighteen years later, the Europa League with Atletico above any other title.

Eighteen years later, Lyon.

Eighteen years later, the goal in Vienna. Eighteen years later, Luis Aragones.

Eighteen years later, the injury in Johannesburg. Eighteen years later, the concern in A Coruna.

And yes, 18 years later, Milan. It is no coincidence that Kintsugi, making scars beautiful, comes from Japan.

Eighteen years later, in the end, Torres will retire. Eighteen years later, the paradox of saying goodbye with the sadness of Fernando allows us to welcome Fernando's happiness for the long-term because not being a footballer doesn't mean leaving football.

Eighteen years later, those tears.