'I should never have left' - Galatasaray star Alvaro Morata admits transfer mistake after leaving Atletico Madrid for AC Milan while battling depression

Alvaro Morata has publicly acknowledged that his move from Atletico Madrid to AC Milan in the summer of 2024 was a mistake. The Spaniard attributed his decision to a challenging personal period, during which he struggled with depression ahead of Euro 2024, and admitted that he failed to heed the advice of those around him.

Morata joined the Rossoneri from Atletico last summer for a €13 million fee, but only managed five league goals in 16 appearances. The change of coach from Paulo Fonseca to Sergio Conceicao just before the winter transfer market opened only served to worsen his situation in Milan, leading him to decide to leave after just six months. Indeed, Morata headed to Galatasaray on loan, where he's due to remain until January 2026.

"I should never have left Atletico," Morata told Cadena SER. "But I wasn't feeling well. And when you're not feeling well, you make the wrong decisions in all areas of life.

"Milan's coach called me every day – and I wanted to be loved and appreciated. Then I had to make a quick decision and didn't realise that I was also important to [Diego] Simeone and that he valued me.

"My father and my agent told me that I was making a mistake, but I didn't listen to them. When you're going through a tough time, everything looks grey, even if those around you tell you that it's not.

"If I could go back in time, I would never have left Atletico. But you can't change the past. Now I'm happy again."

Morata has three goals and one assist in six appearances for Galatasaray. Currently, he is on international duty with Spain. The former Real Madrid and Juventus forward will be captaining La Roja against Netherlands in their Nations League quarter-final clash, to be played on Thursday, March 20.