Llorente: ‘Nothing is more masculine’ than showing affection to a friend

Marcos Llorente has dismissed speculation about his relationship with Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, saying he is surprised that two men showing affection towards one another remains a subject of public debate in 2026.

The Atletico de Madrid and Spain forward responded after photographs of him and Torres on holiday together prompted widespread discussion and a series of offensive and vulgar comments on social media.

The images showed the pair hugging and exchanging friendly kisses during a break they took after Spain’s World Cup 2026 triumph. Their display of affection led some users to speculate about the nature of their relationship, while others mocked the players.

Llorente addressed the reaction during a question-and-answer session on his official Instagram account. One user asked him: “Why do you think people made such a big deal because Ferran hugged you?”

The 31-year-old replied alongside a photograph of himself with Torres: “It surprises me that in 2026, showing two men affection for each other is still a topic of discussion, but when I see the prevailing mentality, I understand it.”

He added: “For me, there is nothing more masculine than a self-confident man who is not afraid to show affection for his friend.”

Llorente’s comments were a direct defence of both his own right and Torres’ right to express their friendship without being subjected to prejudice or public judgment.

The two players have been close friends for several years and their bond has been strengthened by their time together with Spain. They were part of the national team that secured a historic World Cup 2026 victory, after which they chose to spend a holiday together to celebrate the achievement.

The reaction to their photographs centred on their affectionate behaviour rather than any sporting issue. Llorente’s response made clear that he regarded the criticism and speculation as a reflection of wider attitudes, rather than something that required an explanation about the friendship itself.

The pair’s holiday followed Spain’s success on the international stage, with the players using the break to mark a landmark moment for La Roja. Their friendship, which had developed over a number of years, was visible in the photographs that circulated online and triggered the debate.

Llorente’s statement did not identify individual critics, but it challenged the assumptions behind the reaction. He argued that confidence should allow men to show affection towards their friends openly, and rejected the idea that such behaviour should be treated as unusual or controversial.