Broke my heart when he left, never idolised a player the way I did Torres and haven't since. Hardened me to the mercenary nature of football so that Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho didn't have the same impact. He felt so glamorous, so box-office, those flowing blonde locks tearing past defenders...can't help having a soft spot for him after all of it
yeah, it broke my heart too. Not to the point of burning down his jersey, but still...
That wound took its time to heal, to be honest. Even with the arrival of the chaotic maelstrom of talent and assholishness that was Suarez and the promising signs of Brendan's first season with us. Even with the brilliance (and awful ending) of the 2013-14 season, it still hurt.
But heal it did. I don't bear him any ill will now, I understand why he did it though I'll never understand *why* he chose *that* club. Still, he was a brilliant player for us and I'll always remember his time here with joy and giddiness - the Blackburn goal, leaving Vidic in the dust... all good memories.
And if he returns yet again, after that friendly match, I hope the reception he gets is warm.