Galatasaray striker Álvaro Morata has opened up about his decision to leave Atlético Madrid, revealing that he regrets walking away from the Spanish club last summer and suggesting that, in hindsight, it was a move he “wouldn’t have made.”
The 32-year-old forward joined AC Milan in July 2024 following four seasons with Atlético Madrid across two separate spells. However, the move to Italy proved short-lived, with Morata arriving at Galatasaray on loan just six months later, after Paulo Fonseca was replaced by Sérgio Conceição on the Milan bench.
Speaking in an emotional interview with Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Tuesday, Morata reflected on the decision that shifted the trajectory of his career.
“In the summer, I should have thought about things more,” he said. “I should have considered whether it was really the right time to leave Atlético. When other areas of your life aren’t right, you end up making the wrong decisions—not just in football.”
The Spanish international, who captained La Roja to Euro 2024 glory, has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health, including his battles with depression and panic attacks. That personal context, he says, played a role in his transfer decisions.
“Looking back, I definitely wouldn’t have taken that step. I couldn’t see reality clearly. At Atlético, I was finally being understood, finally feeling loved by the fans,” Morata admitted. “But sometimes you make these life choices thinking they’re right in the moment.”
Now settled at Galatasaray and aiming to lead the Turkish giants to the Süper Lig title, Morata is hopeful of returning to the Champions League stage next season.
“If all goes well and we win the league, we’ll be in the Champions League. People may think the Turkish league is less competitive, but the Champions League is the Champions League,” he added.
The experienced striker, who has previously played for Real Madrid, Juventus, and Chelsea, is part of Spain’s squad for this week’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands.
Reflecting on how fast things can change in football, Morata said: “Sometimes in difficult moments, everything looks dark. Even if those close to you warn you, it’s hard to see clearly. At Milan, I felt I needed to be wanted. But now, looking back, I realize that Cholo [Simeone] valued me at Atlético too.”
While his journey has taken him through some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Morata’s recent comments reveal that the heart sometimes lingers where the story felt unfinished — in Madrid.