As far as Xavi Hernandez is concerned, a velveteen first touch and an extensive range of passing is not enough for any footballer hoping to make the grade at Barcelona.
You also need to have the courage of your convictions. The bravery, belligerence and iron-clad self-confidence to take risks and express yourself, without the fear of failure.
“They have to believe. We are encouraging (our players) to dare and be brave,” the 2010 World Cup winner explains. “At Barcelona it’s not worth playing at 6/10 or 7/10. You have to aim for excellence.
“This is what is missing. Courage, aiming high and not low because that is not what Barcelona do.”
On this evidence, Pablo Torre looks every-inch a player, to borrow one of Xavi’s favourite phrases, coded by ‘Barcelona DNA’.
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After opening the scoring with the most daring penalty possible – a picture-perfect Panenka clipped right down the middle – Racing Santander’s teenage talisman repeated the trick from open play, bamboozling the Majadahonda goalkeeper with the sort of audacious, effortless chip that a young Lionel Messi made his trademark all those years ago.
The first hat-trick of Torre’s young career was completed late on. Another penalty smashed into the bottom corner with laser-like precision.
“Xavi will fall off his chair when he sees him,” writes Spanish publication AS, describing Torre’s daredevil, debonair hat-trick as a ‘crazy, scandalous’ feat from a 19-year-old whizzkid who could be plying his trade alongside Gavi and Pedri in a fabulously fresh-faced Barca midfield next term.
Barcelona fought off competition from not only La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Premier League duo Wolves and Arsenal for Torre’s signature, but also Scottish Premiership champions Rangers (Daily Record).
The Gers famously tried to sign Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta two decades ago. And, come 2042, perhaps we’ll be talking about their failure to lure Torre to Ibrox with similarly sepia-tinged regret.
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“We have been following him a while,” Xavi says of the £4 million Camp Nou newcomer, scorer of 10 goals and provider of nine more in 30 games this season.
“For me, he’s a natural talent. He can play in midfield and out wide. He’s two-footed. (He) has a great final ball, scores goals and is great from set plays. He’s very young, 18, but he’s a natural talent.”
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