Fernando Torres headlines strong Atletico Madrid Squad for Melbourne ICC tilts

RESURGENT striker Fernando Torres is among a raft of Melbourne-bound Atletico Madrid stars for the International Champions Cup, but gun Antoine Griezmann is absent.

Fernando Torres and Diego Godin give the thumbs up on the plane to Melbourne. Picture: Twitter

RESURGENT striker Fernando Torres headlines a strong Melbourne-bound Atletico Madrid squad, though Euro 2016 star Antoine Griezmann is absent.

Rising Spanish star Saul Niguez, captain Gabi, gun keeper Jan Oblak, nard-nosed Uruguayan defender Diego Godin and Brazilian left-back Felipe Luis round out an impressive 24-man squad.

Atletico, which faces Tottenham at the MCG on Friday, has picked nine of the players that featured in the Champions League final loss to Real Madrid last May.

✈️ The plane is about to take off! We’re leaving! 📵 #ICC2016 #TwitterOff #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/rKkNF7ttKd

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) July 26, 2016

Croatia right-back Sime Vrsaljko, a $26.4m signing from Italians Sassuolo, is among the new signings touring, along with midfielder Diogo Jota and striker Rafael Borre.

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Griezmann, who played in the Euro 2016 final on July 11, remains on holidays while Spain Euro 2016 duo Koke and Juanfran have stayed in Spain along with Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco.

📍✈️ We’re at the Airport! Australia, here we come! 🇦🇺⚽️ #GoAtleti #ICC2016 pic.twitter.com/qdIoIFIk7G

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) July 26, 2016

An Atletico academy product, Torres returned ‘home’ in 2015 where he has enjoyed a renaissance after unhappy stints at Chelsea and AC Milan since leaving Liverpool in 2011.

Torres, 32, recently penned a one-year contract extension after scoring 12 goals last season, with coach Diego Simeone cleverly managing the striker.

Atletico faces Melbourne Victory at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Fernando Torres and Diego Godin give the thumbs up on the plane to Melbourne. Picture: Twitter

Atletico Madrid squad:

Keepers: Jan Oblak, Carlos Marin, Angel Bernabe, Juan Moreno.

Defenders: Diego Godin, Filipe Luis, Sime Vrsaljko, Stefan Savic, Theo Hernandez, Javier Manquillo, Lucas Hernandez, Emiliano Velazquez.

Midfielders: Gabi, Saul Niguez, Oliver Torres, Thomas Partey, Diogo Jota, Tiago Mendes, Caio Henrique, Amath Diedhiou.

Attackers: Fernando Torres, Rafael Borre, Hector Hernandez.

Originally published as Fernando Torres headlines strong Atletico Madrid Squad for Melbourne ICC tilts