Although he has scored just once for Spain since 2006 and looked out-of-sorts during this week's friendlies against Peru and the United States - albeit while not in full health - Torres is going to be a man to watch at Euro 2008, according to Matthaus.

The former FIFA World Player of the Year, who captained West Germany to World Cup success in 1990 and also won Euro 80, said of the Liverpool striker: "He is a man who has dislodged a popular hero like Real Madrid's Raul and scored goals at will with Atletico and Liverpool, despite the burden of a 35million euros transfer fee.

"A lad like that must have class. It is very hard to be better than Raul. Torres is that.

"He is a player like Stuttgart's Mario Gomez, only more effective. The blond Spaniard is very strong in the air, makes effective runs, turns in an instant, has a fantastic shooting technique and is also dangerous with his left foot.

"He can become a superstar at the European Championships."

Matthaus was less enthusiastic about prolific Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy though, despite the Real Madrid striker's impressive scoring record down the years.

"I cannot claim to be a fan of Ruud van Nistelrooy. He has scored goals at will with Real Madrid because he is a poacher, using all kinds of tricks, holding, pulling, falling and talking - whether it be with the opponent or the referee," Matthaus said in Sport Bild.

"You can tell why I don't like him so much."

However, Matthaus does believe Van Nistelrooy could benefit from missing a large chunk of Madrid's season run-in after undergoing an ankle operation.

"Van Nistelrooy has the advantage of being out for three months with an ankle injury and this break allows him to come into the tournament refreshed," Matthaus added.

"That was the same with me at the 1990 World Cup. I was injured for almost six months while at Internazionale and the break did me good - we became world champions."