Liverpool striker Fernando Torres doesn't shy away from admitting hopes of challenging for the Ballon d'Or.

He told L'Equipe: "When I have watched the Ballon d'Or presentation on television I saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

"I told myself that trophy was for players from another galaxy. Now I am among the candidates, and I cannot believe it.

"Winning the award would be like climbing to the top of Everest and touching the sky."

Torres also expressed his joy at playing for Liverpool, adding: "I am at ease in England. I wanted to play there so strongly, to discover the Premier League.

"At Liverpool I have started a second life. It is great."