Barcelona forward Ferran Torres may not have the raw talent of Lamine Yamal or the boundless energy of Rafael Dias 'Raphinha.' Nor does he possess the goal-scoring instincts of a world-class striker like Robert Lewandowski. Yet, he holds a remarkable distinction: Torres is the third-highest scorer among players from Europe's top leagues who started games on the bench, netting four goals in this role.

According to BeSoccer data for Agencia EFE, the Valencia-born forward has scored four times across seven matches as a substitute. Only Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán (6 goals in 19 substitute appearances) and Atlético Madrid’s Ángel Correa (5 goals in 16 games) surpass him. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Girona’s Cristhian Stuani are tied with Torres, each scoring four goals in five and fifteen games, respectively.

A Night to Remember in Dortmund

Torres’s latest display of his super-sub prowess came during Barcelona’s 3-2 triumph over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. Entering the match in the 71st minute for Robert Lewandowski, the Spanish international scored two decisive goals.

For his first, Torres capitalized on a rebound from a Fermín López shot, showcasing his poacher’s instincts. Minutes later, in the 85th, he unleashed a stunning cross-shot after a slight miscontrol, assisted brilliantly by Lamine Yamal.

This performance cemented Barça’s historic win at Signal Iduna Park, where no visiting team had triumphed in the Champions League since November 3, 2021.

Remarkable Return After Injury

Since recovering from a right hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly two months, Torres has been unstoppable. He has scored four goals in just 184 minutes spread across four matches—a strike rate of one goal every 46 minutes.

His goals include one as a starter in the 5-1 victory over Mallorca and three from the bench in the 2-2 draw with Real Betis and the dramatic win in Dortmund.

Embracing His Role Under Flick

Ferran appears to be thriving in his new role under coach Hansi Flick. "I’m here for this—to come on as a substitute, score goals, and help the team win. This might be one of the best nights of my career," Torres said after his heroics in Germany.

He credited Flick for providing "freedom and confidence," qualities he deemed essential for his playing style. This mental clarity, according to Torres, has been pivotal in his resurgence.

Overcoming Mental Challenges

Mental resilience has been a key factor in Torres’s recent success. The striker openly admitted to seeking help from a psychologist to regain his passion for football after struggling with criticism since his arrival at Barcelona in January 2022.

"I thought what people said about me didn’t affect me, but it did. I lost the joy of playing, the desire to train. That’s when I started working with a mental health professional," Torres revealed in Netflix’s LaLiga: Beyond the Goal.

After scoring Barcelona’s winner in the 85th minute, Torres celebrated passionately with his teammates and pointed to his head, signaling his mental fortitude.

"I don’t care if people doubt me. As long as my family, close circle, and coach trust me, the rest are just external voices. That’s football; it comes with the territory," he said confidently.

A Key Asset for Barcelona

Physically and mentally refreshed, Ferran Torres is proving to be a valuable asset for Barcelona. With the squad facing a shortage of offensive options, Hansi Flick has found a reliable substitute in the “Shark.”