Torres leads Atletico soccer squad in Aust

Atletico Madrid will be led by returning hero Fernando Torres for the Australian leg of the International Champions Cup.

The La Liga giants have largely bucked the trend of sides travelling to Melbourne this year, bringing a squad with several internationals.

Torres leads the attendees, along with club captain Gabi, Brazilian star Felipe Luis and Uruguayan captain Diego Godin.

Torres - who broke the British transfer record when he moved from Liverpool to Chelsea in a STG50 million ($A87.5 million) move in 2011 - completed a permanent move back to his childhood club this year.

Diego Simeone's side do have absentees due to the European 2016 Championship, with Frenchman Antoine Griezmann and Spanish pair Koke and Juanfran staying behind after a packed northern summer.

Argentine international Augusto Fernando and Uruguayan defender Jose Gimenez have also been spared the long trip.

But Simeone has named the strongest squad of the travelling clubs for the Australian friendly series, including Slovenian international goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Atletico play Tottenham on Friday night at the MCG and then Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon at Simonds Stadium.