Liverpool ace Fernando Torres is proud of his third-place finish in this year's Ballon d'Or count.

"The award is an important recognition," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "It comes at a time when I am recovering from injury, and the accolade will spur me on.

"The injury is a bit worrying because it has happened to me before. Now the only thing to do is to get on with the rehabilitation and make sure that I come back when I am ready and not too soon. This prize is a massive reward that obliges me keep on working on my recovery.

"The year 2008 has been an extraordinary one for me, both on a personal and a team level. I would like to thank my team-mates from the Liverpool squad and the Spanish national team for their help.

"Their support was both important and necessary, and their contribution is one of the reasons why today, I can enjoy this amazing experience."

Torres added: "The hardest part is not getting there, it's staying there.

"Look at Gerrard. He has never won the award, and he deserves it as much as anyone, but he is always there with the best. My team-mate Stevie is the best role model there is."