Revealed: Alvaro Morata considered faking injury to get out of playing at Euro 2024 for Spain amid 'self-destructive' mental health struggles

The emotional confession is part of his newly released documentary Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am, which delves deep into the internal turmoil he has endured following intense criticism during his footballing career. One incident that deeply impacted him occurred during the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2024, when his former club Atletico Madrid were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund. After missing a clear goal-scoring opportunity, Morata revealed he spiralled.

“I was not able to follow the ball,” he said. “We were not losing the game, but in your head, you had blown the chance to reach a Champions League final with Atletico. When the game was over, I stayed a long time alone in the dressing room. I just wanted to cry. From there, it all began.

"You start to feel many things in your body and you don’t know why or how. Your legs hurt. Your chest closes up. You can’t breathe. I was afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. I was afraid of everything.”

In a particularly heartbreaking admission, Morata further revealed he thought seriously about faking an injury to escape the responsibility of representing Spain at Euro 2024. "I had many horrible, self-destructive thoughts," Morata said. "It passed through my head to fake an injury, so I would not have to go (to the Euros)."

He even contacted Spain's team doctor, Oscar Celada, expressing his inability to participate in the tournament. This prompted Celada to arrange a conversation between Morata and former Spain international Andres Iniesta. The former Barcelona star, who had himself struggled with depression, particularly following the tragic death of close friend Dani Jarque in 2009, offered Morata guidance and empathy. That dialogue proved to be a turning point.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente played a vital role in convincing Morata to stay the course. He told the veteran striker that the national team needed his leadership and experience. That message gave Morata a renewed sense of importance, something he desperately needed during a vulnerable period, and of course Spain would go on to win the tournament.

Fellow national team-mates, including Rodri, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Alex Remiro, were also featured in the documentary. He specifically credited relaxing golf outings with Oyarzabal and Remiro during the tournament as "a kind of therapy".

Morata also hinted that his international career could soon come to an end. After missing a crucial penalty in Spain’s Nations League final defeat to Portugal, he admitted he is now reflecting on whether to continue with La Roja. However, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the striker has a massive decision to make.