Spain captain Alvaro Morata has said Euro 2024 is “likely” to be his last tournament for his country and has once again raised the possibility of leaving Atletico Madrid, saying “in Spain there is no respect for anything or anyone”.
Morata, 31, has started four of Spain's five Euro games so far, scoring in their 3-0 group stage win over Croatia, and is expected to feature when his side face France in Tuesday's semi-final in Munich.
The striker, who said last month it would be “easier” for him to play abroad because of the treatment he and his family have received from fans, appeared to confirm last week that he would stay at Atletico, saying he “will not stop” until he wins trophies with the club.
“Could be [my last tournament with Spain]”It's a possibility that I don't want to talk about too much, but it's probable,” Morata told El Mundo newspaper on Monday.
Morata, who played for Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea before joining Atletico in 2019, has had a difficult relationship with some Spanish fans.
He was booed by home fans on occasion during Spain's Euro 2020 campaign, and again at the Bernabeu during a friendly with Brazil in March this year.
“In Spain I find it difficult to be happy,” Morata said. “Without a doubt [I’m happier outside of Spain]”I've said it many times. Above all, because people respect me. In Spain there is no respect for anything or anyone.”
Morata will be available to play against France after erroneous initial reports suggested he received a yellow card after being substituted in Spain's 2-1 quarter-final win over Germany.
“The other day people were saying I was crying. [on the touchline] “Because they showed me a yellow card,” Morata said. “What nonsense! I was crying because my team, with me as captain, had reached the semi-finals. I could never criticise someone who cries about that. But they do criticise me when I cut my hand to win the Euros.”
“I'm trying to enjoy this tournament, which could be my last game with the national team, and in the future, whatever happens, happens,” he said. “Maybe one day they'll miss me. Every day the moment of my departure is getting closer, that's why I enjoy it, that's why I cry, that's why I'll cry for whatever comes, be it good or bad.”
Morata had been linked with a possible exit from Atletico this summer after publicly questioning the club's trust in him, but he appeared to put those rumours to rest with a social media post last week. He told El Mundo that he still has doubts, citing a recent experience where friends of his “got into trouble” for wearing shirts with his name on them.
“It's not nice,” he said. “That's why I still think, although I'm focused on the Euros, that I don't know if the best thing for me is to stay in Spain… I've said that I'm dying to win titles with Atlético, but then you have to evaluate whether it's worth it or not.”
“In football nothing is certain,” Morata added in an interview with El Desmarque.
“[Staying at Atlético] This is my opinion from the bottom of my heart, but as I have said many times, sometimes being in Spain is difficult for me.
“I'm tired of people telling me I'm playing the victim, that I'm complaining… I just want this to end in the best way possible and to enjoy it, because this could be my last tournament with the national team.”
