Small World: Tahiti International Ephraim Araneda Was The Tour Guide For Fernando Torres’ Honeymoon In 2007

Chris Wright

22nd, June 2013

3 Comments

By Chris Wright

chico

“I’m stayin’ aliiiiiiiiiiive”

Wonderful sleuth work my Marca this morning, who have discovered that a member of the Tahiti national side decimated by Spain in the Maracana on Thursday evening actually acted as a tour guide for Fernando Torres when the Chelsea striker took his honeymoon on the Pacific island back in 2007.

Ephraim “Chico” Araneda, who isn’t technically in Tahiti’s Confederations Cup squad but has travelled to Brazil as a first reserve, apparently met Torres and his lovely lady wife Olalla at the airport and showed them around Tahiti.

Chico recalled his encounter with Torres before the game against Spain:

“I remember [Torres] was about to leave Atletico Madrid and asked if he would go to Real Madrid or Barca. I said join Real or you’re crazy!

“Those days were wonderful. I used to greet people with a flower wreath when they arrived to the airport. I received Torres, took him to his hotel and took him back to the airport for his departure. In fact, I remember he left his honeymoon short because he had to go sign for Liverpool.

“What I’d like is that Fernando gives me his shirt on Thursday after the game. For me it would be a dream to remind him (of our past meeting) and give me his shirt! Hopefully this interview with Marca will help me get it. Hopefully Fernando will read this!”

Small world, eh?

According to Marca, Ephraim also served as a tourist guide for Cristiano Ronaldo, Gigi Buffon and Antonio Cassano during their respective trips to Tahiti too – which is nice.