Ferran talks Flick, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine, criticism – ‘I love being hated because…’ | OneFootball

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres is celebrating his 25th birthday today. Born on 29 February 2000, in a leap year, the Spanish international marked the occasion by giving an interview on Barça One, where he discussed a plethora of interesting topics.

Kicking things off, with Barcelona still in contention for La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, Ferran admitted that he has little time for celebrations, as his focus remains on winning trophies.

“It’s true that now with so many games I can only think about celebrating my birthday with victories, goals and happiness for the fans,” he said.

On his personality, criticism

Responding to a question left by Alexia Putellas in the previous edition of the ‘One to One’ programme – about which character he would like to be for a day – Ferran had a clear answer.

“I portray myself as a shark and I would like to be a shark for a day, why not? To see the depths of the sea and see if I am really a king,” he remarked.

“Swimming with sharks? I do not know… I have been offered the chance. My favourite species is the great white because it is the most dangerous,” he added.

The Spaniard also spoke about his personality and how much he enjoys being himself, saying:

“I love being Ferran Torres, I’m lucky. I could highlight my personality, I always try to take the good side of things and from there, I think everything is easier. Maybe I would change being a bit ‘grumpy’, since people tell me that.”

Ferran thrives on the criticism he faces. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Throughout his career, Ferran has received both support and criticism from fans. However, rather than being bothered by negative comments, he sees them as motivation.

“We forwards can be the most hated or the most loved, but honestly I love being hated because it gives you the chance to shut up more mouths and to keep working and turn the situation around. When good things come, you have to enjoy them,” said Ferran.

He also opened up about his nickname, El Tiburon (‘The Shark’), and how MMA fighter Ilia Topuria played a key role in his change of mindset.

“I spoke to Ilia Topuria when he was not so well known and he invited me to his pre-fight. I was impressed by his mentality and how his environment helped him to be focused,” he noted.

“When I came back I realised that I needed to have this structure and this mentality, because football is a very complicated world where we are always subjected to a lot of criticism. Then came the pre-season and the banter with my team-mates made it stick.”

On Hansi Flick and his role in the team

Ferran also reflected on the coaches he has worked with so far in his career, expressing gratitude for their guidance and praising Barcelona’s current manager, Hansi Flick.

“For someone as young as I am, I’ve had the best coaches. I’ve had Pep, Luis Enrique, Xavi and now Flick… they’ve all been able to give me a message and having such a figure around me always helps,” noted the former Manchester City attacker.

Speaking of Flick in particular, he added: “From day one, Hansi has always been a person who has been very involved, especially with players like me who are not getting as many minutes as they would like.

“He is very close and cares a lot about how you are personally.”

Ferran is behind Lewandowski in the pecking order. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Despite often coming off the bench, Ferran does not see himself as a substitute and remains committed to making the most of his opportunities at Barcelona.

“I don’t feel like a substitute at all. I try to make the most of my minutes, to be useful. I feel ready for any kind of situation and I face it with a lot of enthusiasm and desire,” said Ferran.

Talking about Barcelona’s first-choice attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha, he added:

“There is no bad feeling in this team, I get on very well with Lamine, Lewy, or Raphinha. We are all a team and we are all rowing in the same direction.”

Ferran also spoke highly of Robert Lewandowski, whom he considers a reference point in his career.

“Robert is a legend. I have one of the best strikers of the last 15 years in front of me. I always say, I try to be a sponge with him to absorb as much as I can. He is a reference,” he said.