Alvaro Morata Opens Up About Struggles with Depression

 

Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has candidly discussed his battle with depression in recent years, revealing the emotional turmoil he faced before joining AC Milan this summer.

The Spanish international, who recently captained his national team to victory at Euro 2024, admitted that his mental health challenges made him question his ability to continue playing football. Morata led Spain to triumph over England with a dramatic 2-1 win in the final, but he acknowledged that months prior, he struggled with panic attacks and severe depression.

In an interview with El Partidazo, Morata shared, “When you have really tough times—depression, panic attacks—it doesn’t matter what job you do; you have another person inside you that you have to fight against every day and night. For me, leaving Spain was the best option; I couldn’t stand it.”

Having transferred to AC Milan from Atletico Madrid, Morata has made a promising start at the San Siro, scoring two goals in six matches across all competitions. Reflecting on his difficult period in Spain, he recalled, “I thought I wouldn't be able to put my boots on and go out on the pitch again.”

Morata expressed gratitude to several individuals who supported him during his struggles, including Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and his psychiatrist. He emphasized that public personas often conceal deeper issues, stating, “We are what you see on TV and social media, but often it’s not real. You have to give an image because it’s your job.”

Describing the intensity of his struggles, Morata noted, “Three months before the Euros, I was wondering if I would be able to play another match. It’s very complicated and delicate. At that moment, you realize that what you like most in the world is what you hate the most.”

He also shared that public scrutiny affected his personal life, saying, “There came a time when they said so many things to me in front of [my family] that I was embarrassed to be with them. I became an easy joke, a joke to make the person next to you laugh.”

Morata’s openness about his mental health battle highlights the challenges athletes can face beyond the field, and he hopes to raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being in sports.