AC MILAN striker Alvaro Morata has opened up about his battle with depression.
The 31-year-old captained Spain to Euro 2024 glory this summer, but recently admitted he almost didn’t make it to Germany.
Morata had received heavy criticism from both fans and journalists in the build-up to the tournament – so much so that it made him want to leave the country.
He experienced some mental health troubles as a result which made him question if he would ever be able to step onto a football pitch again.
Speaking to El Partidazo, Morata revealed: “When you have really tough times, depression, panic attacks, it doesn’t matter what job you do, what situation you have in life, you have another person inside that you have to fight against every day and every night.”
The Spaniard began doubting his future during the latter stages of his time with Atletico Madrid – just months before Euro 2024.
He continued: “For me, leaving Spain was the best option; I couldn’t stand it.
“I had a really bad time. I thought I wouldn’t be able to put my boots on and go out on the pitch again.
“But hey, thanks to a lot of people, from Simeone, Koke, Miguel Ángel Gil last year, my psychiatrist, my coach… we are what you see on TV and on social media but often it’s not real.
“You have to give an image because it’s your job. I had a really bad time, I exploded and there came a time when I couldn’t lace up my boots, and when I did I would run home because my throat would close up and my vision would start to blur.
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“Three months before the Euros I was wondering if I would be able to play another match. I didn’t know what was happening to me but it’s very complicated and delicate.
“At that moment you realise that what you like most in the world is what you hate the most, it’s complicated.
“Every time I went out with them I always had some episode, sometimes without malice, with people about something that had happened in previous games.
“And, in the end, they didn’t want to go shopping either, things that a normal father does with his children.
“There came a time when they said so many things to me in front of them that I was embarrassed to be with them. I was an easy joke, a joke to make the person next to you laugh.”
Morata left Atletico to join AC Milan in a £10.9million transfer in July.
The striker has since scored two goals in five Serie A appearances.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
