The Aston Villa defender was among the candidates considered by Real Madrid before the Spanish giants eventually opted to sign David Alaba on a free transfer.
Torres, who is preparing to return to Spain for Villa's Champions League meeting with Barcelona, has no regrets about the decision and understands why the club preferred the more experienced Austrian international.
"Yes, in the end, being among the two or three candidates for a club like Madrid is always something very positive. I also understand that they decided at the end of the transfer window to go for a player who was available on a free transfer at that moment, David Alaba. He was a more established player than me, with more experience," Torres told Sport.
The defender will now have the opportunity to face Barcelona's emerging generation of talent, particularly Yamal, whom he is looking forward to testing himself against.
Torres recognises the difficulty of defending against the teenager, whose unpredictability makes him one of the most challenging attacking players in European football.
"When you play these matches, you always want to face the best to see what level you are at. It will be a pleasure to play against him and have to defend him on certain occasions," he said.
"He always surprises you, he is unpredictable and many times having just one player to defend him is not enough. We will have to be very attentive with the cover."
Yamal was also Torres' preferred choice for the Ballon d'Or, despite Harry Kane ultimately receiving the award.
The Aston Villa centre-back believes the Barcelona youngster has already demonstrated the quality required to claim football's most prestigious individual honour and expects him to remain a leading contender.
"Harry Kane's numbers have been very good, but I wanted a Spaniard to win it and I think he deserved it. If it hasn't happened this year, it will be very soon because Lamine is very close. I'm sure he will maintain his level or improve it," Torres explained.
The Barcelona encounter will also provide an opportunity for Torres to reunite with Rodri, with whom he shared an important period of his early career at Villarreal.
The midfielder subsequently moved to Atlético Madrid before establishing himself among the world's leading players, and Torres has been particularly pleased to see him join Barcelona.
Torres believes Barcelona have made an excellent signing, particularly given Rodri's ability and the added significance of preventing Real Madrid from securing his services.
"Not just because of having him in your team, but also because of taking him away from Madrid. As an anecdote, I'll tell you that we still haven't played against each other for one reason or another. We've spoken over the last few days. We're looking forward to saying hello, but after the match, during it, there will be no friendship," he said.
Torres went further in his assessment of his former team-mate, describing him as the best player in the world in his position.
"I would sign him. He is the best in the world in his position," he added.
The defender also recalled an anecdote from their Villarreal days which illustrates the humility he believes has remained an important part of Rodri's character despite his success.
"He is a very humble guy who hasn't been changed by football in any way. He was studying at university and living in the residence," Torres explained.
"When he was about to go and play for Atlético, he went back to see a friend from university and, instead of paying for the best hotel in Castellón or whatever, he slept on a mattress in his university friend's room in the residence."
It is a memory that has stayed with Torres and offers an insight into the relationship between the two players before their careers took them in different directions.
Now reunited on opposite sides of a major European fixture, Torres will be hoping to enjoy another memorable occasion, although he knows the friendship will have to wait until the final whistle.
For the Villa defender, the meeting also represents an opportunity to measure himself against Yamal and a Barcelona side containing one of his closest footballing friends.