BOSSES at Valencia’s iconic Oceanografic aquarium have named one of their sharks in honour of hometown hero Ferran Torres after his World Cup-winning exploits for Spain.
The 26-year-old, who was born in the city and came through Valencia’s academy before joining Premier League side Manchester City in 2020, cemented his place in Spanish football history last week by scoring the only goal in La Roja’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.
The achievement has prompted Europe’s largest aquarium to christen one of its sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) Ferran – a fitting tribute given the Barcelona forward’s long-standing nickname of ‘The Shark’.
The honour also reflects Torres’ close links with the Oceanografic Foundation, having served as one of its ambassadors throughout 2024 and 2025.
He first visited the aquarium two years ago to learn about its conservation, research and animal welfare work, touring the Oceans exhibit and underwater tunnel while discovering the threats facing shark populations and the projects designed to protect them.
The partnership continued this year, with more than 100 children attending the Ferran Torres Summer Camp visiting the Oceanografic for a day of hands-on learning about marine biodiversity, ocean wildfire and the importance of protecting the world’s seas.
According to the aquarium, the shark named after Torres is a male sandbar shark measuring nearly two metres in length, with the naming intended to reinforce the message that sharks are essential to the health of marine ecosystems.
The species is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
