Ferran Torres is enjoying a moment every footballer dreams of, having become a national hero by scoring the decisive goal against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.

The Valencian striker, who recently signed for PSG, has etched his name into the history books of Spanish football for ever.

And, as if that weren’t enough, he has also earned a well-deserved place amongst the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

However, this stellar present was not the result of an easy journey.

Before reaching the pinnacle with the Spanish national team and establishing himself at the top of European football, Ferran had to overcome some difficult periods.

Harsh criticism for his misses in front of goal and the difficult reality of never having been an undisputed first-choice player led him to make a decision that turned his career around.

Criticism over his finishing and the shadow of the substitutes’ bench

Throughout his time at Valencia, Manchester City and FC Barcelona, Ferran Torres was constantly relegated to the role of a rotation player.

He was never able to establish himself as a first-team regular at any of his clubs and was often found waiting for his chance on the substitutes’ bench.

On top of the lack of regularity in the starting eleven, there was constant media pressure due to the clear goal-scoring chances he failed to convert at crucial moments.

This combination of being on the bench and a lack of effectiveness directly affected his confidence.

So much so that the player himself openly acknowledged, in comments reported by ‘La Vanguardia’, how difficult it was to come to terms with that period:

“I fell into a bottomless pit; I didn’t know how to get out. I became so obsessed with scoring goals and pleasing the fans that I forgot to enjoy myself,” said the striker.

Then, he made a decision that changed everything: “That was when I realised I needed to work on my mental game with professionals, because football destroys you if you’re not strong on the inside.”

The birth of ‘El Tiburón’ and mental preparation

To turn the situation around, the striker turned to sports psychology with the aim of building a solid mental framework.

Instead of getting frustrated at starting on the bench or missing a clear chance in front of the opposition goalkeeper, he decided to make resilience his hallmark.

During an interview on the programme ‘El Hormiguero’, the striker explained the origin of a nickname that, in a way, changed the course of his career.

“‘The Shark’ is a mindset I created by falling down and getting back up. I learnt not to listen to outside noise, to work quietly and to understand that you don’t need to play the full 90 minutes to be the most decisive player in the match,” he said.

That psychological transformation allowed him to realise that his value did not depend on being a guaranteed starter, but on his ability to make an impact on the game every time he stepped onto the pitch.

The goal against Argentina that will go down in history

All that preparation behind the scenes paid off on the most demanding stage in world football.

In the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina, the patience and composure he had honed over the years finally bore fruit.

Ferran capitalised on a perfect read of his run to finish with ice-cold composure and score the goal that secured the title for Spain.

A shot taken without hesitation, typical of a player who learnt to live with mistakes and turn them into his greatest weapon inside the box.

The reward for resilience

His subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain and his nomination for the Ballon d'Or award confirm that perseverance and resilience are essential for any footballer.

Everything comes in its own time.

Ferran Torres proved that you don’t have to be the undisputed first-choice player from day one to make a decisive impact and go down in history.

Through mental fortitude, clinical finishing and a goal that secured a World Cup, the striker has carved out a place for himself amongst the greats of international football.