Fernando Torres admits it would be a dream come true for him to be awarded the Ballon d'Or for 2008.
Striker stunned he is in contention to win Ballon d'Or
Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres admits it would be a dream come true for him to be awarded the Ballon d'Or for 2008.
Torres is among the contenders to land the accolade, which is presented in December, after enjoying an impressive last 12 months.
The former Atletico Madrid forward netted 33 goals in all competitions during his debut campaign on Merseyside last term.
He then played a key role in Spain's Euro 2008 glory, scoring the decisive strike in their triumph over Germany in the final.
Torres faces stiff competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the prize and concedes he never previously thought it realistic that he would be in the running to be named European Footballer of the Year.
Another galaxy
He told
L'Equipe: "When I have watched the Ballon d'Or presentation on television I saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
"I told myself that trophy was for players from another galaxy. Now I am among the candidates, and I cannot believe it.
"Winning the award would be like climbing to the top of Everest and touching the sky."
Torres also expressed his joy at playing for Liverpool, adding: "I am at ease in England. I wanted to play there so strongly, to discover the Premier League.
"At Liverpool I have started a second life. It is great."
