Atletico Madrid are Europa League champions, defeating Marseille 3-0 in Lyon.
Diego Simeone’s men were in control from the minute Antoine Griezmann gave them the lead in the first half, and were helped when their opponents lost Dimitri Payet to injury soon after. Griezmann went on to add a second goal shortly after half-time with Gabi completing the scoring as the game entered stoppage time.
After Gabi’s goal, Fernando Torres was summoned from the bench to replace Griezmann – making his final appearance for his boyhood club.
He was barely on the pitch for two minutes and hardly touched the ball in that time, but his involvement was significant – allowing him to lift his first trophy with the club in 11 seasons. After leaving for Liverpool in 2007, Torres was away for Atleti’s last two Europa League successes in 2010 and 2012. He also missed their La Liga win in 2014 and Cope Del Rey triumph a year before that.
Moments after the full-time whistle, Torres was the final member of Simeone’s team to pick up his winners’ medal. However, as he took his place with his teammates in preparation for the presentation, captain Gabi beckoned him forward to help lift the trophy.
Atleti captain Gabi calls on club legend and local lad Fernando Torres to help him lift the Europa League trophy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6mL0ruRCrw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 16, 2018
It was a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by many of those watching.
Pure class from Atleti's captain in Gabi allowing Fernando Torres to join him in lifting the Europa League trophy, who will be leaving the club in the summer. Simeone's Atletico Madrid will go down as a one of a kind.
— Asif 🇵🇸 (@Asif9707) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/keykii/status/996857491194499073
The best bit. Loved the gesture from Gabi to @Torres. All in it together and they all get the significance. What a team 🙌 They will be a massive force in the UCL next season #EuropaLeagueFinal #UEL #Torres #atleti #AupaAtleti https://t.co/sGwsgraoB2
— Reshmin Chowdhury (@ReshminTV) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/GarinoLuca/status/996857570991267847
Gabi passing on Torres the trophy to lift the trophy and initiate the celebrations. Pure class. Congrats Atletico! #FinalEuropaLeague
— Indrajit Srivastava (@indrajitnano) May 16, 2018
Class act from Gabi letting Torres lift the trophy with him👌
— Luke Evans (@lukeevans1998) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/DrChubbyy/status/996856138175041536
Beautiful from Gabi to allow Torres to lift the cup. #UELFinal
— 🇧🇪 Gavin 🇳🇬 (@misterlga) May 16, 2018
Torres announced last month that he would be leaving at the end of the season, although his destination remains unclear. He has been heavily linked with a move to Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, although reports have also suggested Rangers and Newcastle may consider a move for the World Cup-winner.
