Ferran Torres pays Baltimore a visit after World Cup heroics

The most consequential soccer goal this year came from an Under Armour boot.

Spain capped an exhausting, exhilarating FIFA men’s World Cup tournament with a 1-0 win in the final over Argentina on July 19. Ferran Torres, an Under Armour-sponsored striker, scored the decisive goal in extra time.

Torres has since celebrated in Spain and gone on a media tour in New York City, where he threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game. Afterward, he and his family, trainer and agent flew on a private Under Armour plane to Maryland, where he visited the company’s new Baltimore Peninsula headquarters for the first time since signing with the brand in December 2024.

In front of a television audience that likely exceeded 1 billion during the World Cup final, Torres received a headed pass from a teammate and netted the game-winner with his left foot. It was a marketing win for Under Armour — which is better known for the American kind of football.

Afterward, Under Armour promoted the Shadow Elite 4 Mach FC cleats he wore, which weigh about 7.5 ounces, on the lighter side of the market.

Torres shared on social media a photo of himself with company founder Kevin Plank and alongside Under Armour employees. One shirt he posted read, “the boots of a champion don’t come in pink,” an apparent swipe at the many pink shoes players with rival brands wore during the World Cup.

During his time in Baltimore, the 26-year-old Torres, who is under contract with FC Barcelona, also met with Under Armour’s product team and trained on the company’s field. He visited the Ravens at practice Thursday, briefly speaking with the team.

“This guy came off the bench in the final of the World Cup, in extra time, scored the game-winning goal,” Ravens coach Jesse Minter said. “Talk about just being ready when your number is called, being at your best when your best is needed.”

Banner reporter Giana Han contributed to this article.