Diego Simeone has described Fernando Torres as "an icon" after the Atletico Madrid striker notched his landmark 100th La Liga goal for the club.
Torres, who announced earlier this week that he will bow out of the Wanda Metropolitano at the end of the campaign, bagged Atleti's second goal in the 3-0 win over Levante.
The 34-year-old had been waiting three months to hit the milestone figure and, having finally found it with an impressive volley, Simeone was full of praise for the soon-to-depart striker.
"Fernando is an icon here, whether he's scoring goals or not," he told reporters at his post-match press conference. "He's earned this status and respect through hard work.
"When I called him to sign for us, I told him I wanted him to come as a football player and not an idol. Fernando's performance was as important as that of the whole team.
"We made three very beautiful goals, and having everybody pulling in the same direction is what works for the team. People care that Fernando has incredible feelings for this club, it makes me happy to have helped him live with this team once again."
Atletico remain second in the La Liga standings, four points in front of Real Madrid.
Daniel Lewis
