Miguel Torres Gómez is a Spanish former footballer. Usually a right back, he was equally at ease on the other flank. He played 223 La Liga matches during 11 seasons, in representation of Real Madrid, Getafe and Málaga. He also competed professionally in Greece, with Olympiacos.
Born in Madrid, Torres joined Real Madrid's junior teams at the age of 12. He made his first-team debut against Écija Balompié as a starter, in a Copa del Rey game on 25 October 2006, because of injuries to defenders Fabio Cannavaro, Cicinho and Míchel Salgado. He also played in the return leg as a substitute after replacing Sergio Ramos in the 80th minute, and started in both cup matches against Real Betis. Torres made his La Liga debut in his fourth consecutive appearance for Real Madrid, playing the whole 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza on 14 January2007. He kept his place in the side the following week against RCD Mallorca, with that performance leading coach Fabio Capello to state: "It is not easy to find a player with as much personality and talent in attack and defence as Torres". On 10 February 2007, against Real Sociedad, Torres made his first assist: after a quick run on the left flank he provided a left-footed cross for Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose header found the net as Madrid came from behind to win it away 2–1. With Torres as an important piece, Real Madrid won its 30th league title – however, he was unable to play in the decisive game against Mallorca due to a hamstring tear. He signed his first professional contract on 12 July 2007, joining the main squad permanently from Real Madrid Castilla. Although Torres appeared in more league matches in the following season, he would start significantly less, primarily due to the signing of Argentine Gabriel Heinze. During the 2008–09 campaign, still under Bernd Schuster first and later Juande Ramos, he did not fare any better; additionally, he switched back from number 38 to 22 which he previously wore with Castilla.
Getafe
For 2009–10, Torres changed to No. 2 following Salgado's departure to Blackburn Rovers. However, on 31 August – transfer deadline day – he moved to neighbours Getafe CF on a five-year contract, with Real having the option to rebuy in the first two. In the 2011–12 season, under new manager Luis García, Torres was challenged by new signing Juan Valera for the right-back position, but still appeared in more than 20 league matches as the Madrid outskirts team again retained their division status. On 16 April 2012 he scored his first goal as a senior, netting the opener in a 5–1 home win against Sevilla FC.
Olympiacos / Málaga
On 9 August 2013, Torres joined Olympiacos F.C. from Greece on a three-year deal worth a reported €500,000, reuniting with Míchel who also coached him at Getafe and Real Madrid Castilla. After only ten competitive games he returned to Spain's top flight a year later, signing a one-year contract at Málaga CF with the option of two more. During his later spell at the La Rosaleda Stadium, Torres suffered several injury problems and was also deemed surplus to requirements by manager Juan Ramón López Muñiz. On 4 July 2019, the 33-year-old announced his retirement from football.
