POTCHEFSTROOM (Reuters) - Spain striker Fernando Torres has captured the hearts of the locals at the European champions' training base in Potchefstroom.
The blonde marksman is the focus of most of the chants from the hundreds of South African and Spanish fans who turn up to training each day and there is a desperate crush for the Liverpool player's autograph after each session.
Cries of "Torres please!" ring out as fans thrust all manner of items toward him for signing, including shirts, scarves, hats, balls, photographs and soccer boots.
The 26-year-old, sporting a new short haircut for the tournament, typically spends at least five minutes fulfilling the wishes of children and adults alike and has earned admiration and respect for his generosity.
"He's both a gentleman and a world class player," said Denis De Kock, a 45-year-old project manager who made the hour's drive from Johannesburg with his wife and three of his four children on a sunny but breezy Sunday morning.
"Look at the time he takes with the fans," he added, clad in a black Liverpool shirt with Torres across the back. "He's humble and down to earth, that's just his nature. A true pro."
De Kock explained he had been a Liverpool fan since he was nine and had passed his passion on to his family, who were all wearing club shirts, including 14-month-old Catalonia.
The family had watched the squad training and the biggest cheer rang out when Torres, who is coming back from knee surgery and may miss Spain's opening Group H match with Switzerland on Wednesday, struck a powerful shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Torres returned to the team on Tuesday for the first time since his operation in April when he came on as a substitute in a 6-0 rout of Poland in a warm-up and scored the fifth goal.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
