Álvaro Morata, the striking talent who once made waves at Atlético Madrid, has reflected candidly on his decision to leave the club for AC Milan, admitting it was a mistake that stemmed from a period of personal turmoil. After a brief six-month, underwhelming stint in Italy, Morata has found a renewed sense of purpose at Galatasaray in Turkey, where he is reconnecting with his scoring abilities.
In an interview with Cadena Ser, Morata expressed his regret about leaving Atlético Madrid, a team where he enjoyed considerable success and fan affection. “I shouldn’t have left Atlético, but I wasn’t feeling well, and that led to bad decisions,” he confessed. His move to AC Milan during the summer transfer window seemed enticing at first, particularly due to the persistent phone calls from Milan's coach, Paulo Fonseca, which made him feel valued and desired. But lacking clarity during a difficult time in his life, Morata ultimately realized that he misjudged the situation.
Morata's six-month tenure with AC Milan ended disappointingly. He scored just five goals across 16 league games, a far cry from his expectations. With the arrival of new manager Sérgio Conceição at Milan and his dissatisfaction with his performance, Morata opted for a loan move to Galatasaray in January 2025, where an atmosphere of support has rekindled his love for football.
“When you don’t feel good at a certain point in your life, you make bad decisions in every aspect of life,” Morata reflected, encapsulating the mindset that led to his abrupt transition away from Atlético. Despite advice from family and his agent, who warned him about the risks of leaving a supportive environment, Morata felt compelled to seek validation elsewhere.
At Atlético, Morata was a pivotal figure, contributing significantly over two different periods—154 appearances, 58 goals, and 14 assists. His bond with coach Diego Simeone remained strong, and he only recognized the depth of that relationship after departing. “Looking back, I see how much support I had at Atlético. I wasn’t able to see reality then,” he admitted. It was a moment of clarity for the striker, who is known for his mental health struggles, including past battles with depression.
Since joining Galatasaray, Morata has rejuvenated his game, netting three goals and providing an assist in just six matches. He describes the intense football culture in Turkey, especially the fierce rivalries like the one against Fenerbahçe, which he noted as a uniquely intense experience with heightened security due to the rivalry's nature.
“I’d never seen anything like it. In the first game, I was injured, and there were 30,000 policemen in the stadium,” Morata recounted, hinting at the robust atmosphere surrounding Turkish football, which has surprised him. Yet, despite the competitive environment, Morata recognizes the challenges of the Turkish league compared to elite European competitions.
Morata's current loan with Galatasaray includes a purchase option of €8 million, which could be activated in the next transfer window in January. The prospect of securing a long-term place in Turkey is appealing to Morata, who stated, “I think I should have thought more about whether to leave Atlético or not.” He is optimistic about his future, focusing on the present rather than dwelling on past decisions.
Looking ahead, Morata also has his sights set on the upcoming qualifications for the UEFA Euro 2024, where he hopes to further add to his international goals tally for Spain and help lead them once again to glory. “If I could go back, I would never leave Atlético,” he concluded with a touch of regret and aspiration. The 32-year-old seems eager to keep proving himself at Galatasaray while advocating for a brighter future both at club and international levels.
