Álvaro Morata has confessed that he regrets leaving Atlético Madrid last summer.
The Spanish striker, who captained La Roja to Euro 2024 glory, left Atlético for AC Milan in July 2024 after four seasons at the club across two spells.
However, his time in Italy was short-lived, as he moved to Galatasaray on loan in January after Milan sacked Paulo Fonseca and replaced him with Sérgio Conceição.
Now, as he prepares for Spain’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinal clash with the Netherlands, Morata has reflected on the turbulent past year and his decision to leave Atlético.
“I Should Have Thought About It More”
Speaking to Cadena SER on Tuesday, Morata was candid about his misjudgment.
“In the summer, I should have thought about things more,” he admitted.
“[I should have thought about] whether to leave Atlético or not. When things aren’t right in certain parts of your life, you take the wrong decisions, not just in football.”
Morata, has spoken publicly in the past about his mental health struggles, revealing last year that he nearly quit international football due to depression and panic attacks.
Looking back at his exit from Atlético, the 32-year-old now realizes he had more support than he initially thought.
“For sure, I wouldn’t have taken [the decision]… I didn’t know how to see the reality. We were European champions, at Atlético there were more and more people who loved me, who understood me. But they are decisions you take in life.”
The Milan Move and Another Change of Scenery
Morata’s transfer to AC Milan was supposed to offer a fresh challenge, but his time at San Siro quickly unraveled following Fonseca’s dismissal.
“When you’re in a difficult moment, things look dark, you don’t see things clearly,” he said.
“Even if you have people close to you, who tell you that you’re wrong. Things happen fast, you have to take decisions.”
Morata admitted that the uncertainty over his future during Euro 2024 weighed on him heavily.
“I was bothered by the issue [of my future] during the Euros, and the opportunity at Milan came up. You need to feel wanted and valued. But looking back, [coach] Cholo [Simeone] valued and wanted me too.”
Now at Galatasaray, Morata is trying to look forward.
“We’re very happy, I’m happy with my football, I’m happy with the national team. Next year, if all goes well and [Galatasaray] win the league, we’ll be in the Champions League.”
“Turkey might seem a less competitive league, but the Champions League is the Champions League.”
Spain Duty Beckons
Despite his club turbulence, Morata remains a key figure for Spain, who face the Netherlands in Rotterdam on Thursday before the return leg in Valencia on Sunday.
Having played for Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid across a rollercoaster career, Morata is no stranger to change. But as he looks back at his 2024 transfer saga, he wishes he had never left Atlético Madrid in the first place.
