Cuban Romario Torres at Club Nacional de Fútbol of Uruguay: "I want to achieve my dreams here"

September 4, 2023

For the first time, a Cuban reaches the "big leagues" of Uruguayan football. His name is Romario Torres. He is 18 years old and plays for the Cuban national senior team. Since April, under contract with Club Nacional, the youth player represents one of the most glorious jerseys in the country and will do so for one year.

"Romario is one of the promises of Cuban football."

"Romario is fast, intelligent, and versatile."

"Romario is a midfielder with very particular characteristics, like those African midfielders such as Yaya Touré, all things considered."

Midfielder Torres has captured the attention of critics and for good reason: a versatile and agile player who in just 15 days was able to demonstrate his qualities to stay at El Bolso of Uruguay.

We know that Cuba does not have a football tradition. How difficult was it to pursue your career in a context where the universal sport is precarious?

I started playing football when I was 7 years old. Since I was a child I had the dream of being a footballer because my dad and my brothers were in Cuba. My dad was always my coach.

When I was school-aged, I played in a higher category than mine: that is, when I should have been in the 7-8 category I was playing in the 9-10.

I trained in my house's yard sometimes, because it rained and the training field was terrible. By the way, in my municipality now there is no football field. I trained with just one ball and some broken cleats because my parents couldn't afford new ones.

Since I was little I had to set myself a goal, because despite my age I always dreamed of being where I am today.

Had you played here in Uruguay before? We know that in May you signed a contract with Club Nacional de Fútbol. How did you reach the "Big Leagues" of this little country?

I had come to Uruguay in 2022 with Cuba's under-20 national team, in which I was the youngest: I was only 17 years old. We came here to a training base where the growth we had was notable. Then we returned to Cuba.

Some time later, my current representative went to the island and selected seven players who were on the under-20 that year. Two months later they told me I was coming to Uruguay and I said: "nah that's a lie, because I never thought it would happen."

When I received the news I was in shock: I knew that Club Nacional de Fútbol is one of the best teams in South America and that Uruguay is a country with a lot of football development.

My expectations at this club are to reach the first division and defend the beautiful shield that I have. And, well, to achieve my dreams here.

We saw you play from the stands in the friendly Cuba-Uruguay match in April.

I really feel very happy. What we had been training came out that wonderful night. We accepted the loss well because it was an honor to lose only 2-0 against a World Cup country.

For me it was a great honor because I was defending my flag. Also, seeing the Cuban community supporting us in the stands… It was very nice.

Romario, we are very aware of the criticism that has been extraordinary. Tell us how your adaptation to Nacional has been.

Technically the way of playing in Uruguay is very different from Cuba. Here the game is stronger, you have to have a lot of ball control. To date, I have played against Torke, Wander and Liverpool.

I did very well against the first two. I came in as a substitute and insisted on giving more intensity, because I only played 30 minutes. I fought to help the team and my teammates and the result was good. But in Liverpool I got injured, although everything is fine now.

How have your Uruguayan colleagues received you? How has Romario felt in a country with a culture so different from ours?

They received me very well. I always asked God to support me because as you already know I am alone in this country. But my colleagues have received me very courteously and respectfully.

From best player of Cuba's Clausura Tournament, Torres became the first Cuban footballer to arrive in Uruguay to join one of the big teams, Nacional or Peñarol. With this milestone, Romario is confident that reaching the first division of the tricolor is just a matter of time and hard work.