Ferran Torres signs with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona

The hero of the World Cup final already has a new club, and it's not just any club. Ferran Torres left Barcelona to sign with Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League title holders, in a deal worth around 50 million euros (about $58 million) according to French newspaper L'Equipe, since the Paris club did not release official figures in its statement.

The contract, signed this Saturday, runs for five seasons, and PSG already has a number ready for him that carries plenty of weight: he'll wear the number 9 jersey. For a forward who just months ago scored the goal that gave Spain its fourth World Cup star, the symbolism isn't lost on anyone.

Because that's what Ferran Torres is about: showing up when the game is on the line the most. In the World Cup final against a physical, hard-nosed Argentina, he came on from the bench in the second half and, in extra time, found himself with a ball that took an odd bounce. Without hesitation, he unleashed a left-footed strike that sailed under the crossbar. It was his only goal of the entire tournament, but the most important one of his career. And about that play, the player himself left a line that has already stuck in the memory of Spanish fans.

Forty-seven million people scored that goal.Ferran Torres

The number, of course, refers to Spain's population. A humble gesture from a player who is sometimes asked to play more as a fixed number 9, when in reality his best form comes from roaming across the entire front line.

From Valencia to a rise that keeps climbing

Torres' path makes sense when you trace it back. He came up through Valencia's youth academy, made the jump to Manchester City in 2020, and from there moved to Barcelona, who paid around 55 million euros for him in January 2022. At Camp Nou he put together a respectable tally: 65 goals in 207 appearances, topping out at 21 goals last season across all competitions. However, his contract was set to expire next year, and reportedly Barcelona would have owed City a compensation fee to extend it. PSG got there first.

This move also reunites Torres with his national team manager, Luis Enrique, who gave him his debut for Spain back in 2020. The Asturian coach took over the PSG bench in 2023 and hasn't stopped piling up trophies since: back to back Champions League titles and the French league in each of his three seasons in charge.

With Torres, Luis Enrique adds one more piece to an attack that was already overflowing with talent: Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele (who briefly overlapped with Torres at Barcelona), Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and fellow recent signing Maghnes Akliouche. Internal competition for minutes promises to be fierce.

The signing comes right after PSG lifted the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa, winning 2-1, with a goal from Kvaratskhelia and an assist from Dembele on Doue's decisive strike. With that title, the Paris side became the first team since Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017 to defend the European Super Cup. The club is now eyeing a possible haul of six trophies this season, and Sunday already brings another date on the calendar: a matchup against Lens, winners of the French Cup, in the Trophee des Champions.