Full name Miguel Torres Gomez 1998–2005 Real Madrid Weight 76 kg Place of birth Madrid, Spain Name Miguel Gomez Career start 2006 | Playing position Role Footballer Spouse Maria Plaza (m. 2013) Number 23 Height 1.84 m | |
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Date of birth (1986-01-28) 28 January 1986 (age 29) Current team Malaga CF (#23 / Defender) Profiles | ||
Miguel Torres Gómez ([miˈɣel ˈtores]; born 28 January 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Málaga CF. Usually a right back, he is equally at ease on the other flank.
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Real Madrid
Born in Madrid, Torres joined Real Madrid's junior teams at the age of 12. He made his first-team debut against Écija Balompié as a starter, in a Copa del Rey game on 25 October 2006, because of injuries to 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 No. 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 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, 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 campaign, 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; on 12 July 2007 he signed his first professional contract, joining the main squad permanently from Real Madrid Castilla.
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 year he switched back to number 22, which he previously wore with Castilla.
Getafe
For 2009–10, Torres changed to No. 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.
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.
Olympiacos / Málaga
On 9 August 2013, Torres joined Olympiacos F.C. from Greece on a three-year deal worth a reported €500,000, reuniting with Míchel who also coached him at Getafe and Real Madrid Castilla. After only ten competitive games he returned to Spain's top flight a year later, signing a one-year contract at Málaga CF with the option of two more.
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.