Spain and AC Milan forward Álvaro Morata has opened up about his battle with depression ahead of Euro 2024, revealing how close he came to prematurely ending his football career.

The 31-year-old striker, who has played for major clubs such as Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, and Chelsea, faced an intense period of mental health struggles earlier in 2024, which left him fearing that he might never play again.

Morata’s decision to join AC Milan marked the third time he left Spain for a new challenge abroad, but the emotional toll weighed heavily on him.

Despite his success on the field, including winning Euro 2024 with Spain, Morata’s mental health battle became a major obstacle in his life.

His candid revelation highlights the mental challenges professional athletes face and underscores the importance of mental health awareness, even for those who seem to have it all.

“I thought I wouldn’t be able to put my boots on and go out on the pitch again. I received a lot of help from people, like Diego Simeone, [Atletico captain] Koke and [president] Miguel Angel Gil, and my psychiatrist,” he said on El Partidazo de Cope.

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After his team secured a late World Cup draw against Spain, Germany head coach Hansi Flick was extremely pleased with his group.

In Group E, Die Mannschaft had a terrible start after losing to Japan 2-1 on the opening day of play, leaving them extremely vulnerable to being eliminated early.

While this was going on, Spain destroyed Costa Rica 7-0 to get things going. But in Sunday’s highly contested match between the two previous world champions, Germany managed to hold them off.

La Roja pulled ahead through Alvaro Morata, but Germany managed to steal a point in the dying embers thanks to substitute Niclas Fullkrug’s powerful finish. Flick praised his side, but remained realistic, speaking after the game: “The team fought unconditionally. But we only took one step.

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“We are a team. We have, even if it is to be read differently, a good togetherness,” he added: “It’s gigantic what the team has achieved. I am proud.”

“There are warriors on the pitch playing with hearts. If we take this momentum with us – and we get even more self-confidence – then a lot is possible.”

Germany was very seriously facing yet another group-stage elimination after falling behind, much like the disappointment of 2018 when they were eliminated early as the defending champions.

A point puts them in an excellent position to go to the round of 16, even if it is still preferable to three, especially given that they had opportunities to win the game. On matchday three, they take on Costa Rica and need to win to maintain their aspirations, but they also need Spain to defeat Japan so they can advance.

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Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes feels there is no need to turn the captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s annoyance into a soap opera.

This was said by Fernandes in support of Ronaldo after their 1-0 loss to Spain in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.

Throughout the game, Ronaldo was wasteful in front of goal, missing numerous chances to put Portugal ahead while Spain ultimately prevailed.

Alvaro Morata’s 88th-minute goal at the Estádio Municipal de Braga gave Spain the victory over Portugal.

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Spain advanced to the Nations League finals, which will take place the following year, thanks to the victory.

Croatia, The Netherlands, and Italy are the other three teams to have made it to the finals.

After the match, Fernandes was quizzed about Ronaldo’s frustration.

“Cristiano is here to help and will continue to help. It is ok. Frustration is normal, he wants to win and score goals. There is no need to make a soap opera around him. The goals will appear, they are phases. Have more peace of mind,” the Manchester United midfielder told the media after the match (via OJogo)

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