Former Chelsea and Real Madrid striker, Alvaro Morata, has shared his deeply personal struggle with depression and panic attacks, shedding light on the mental health challenges he faced during his career.
Having recently transferred to AC Milan following Spain's victory at Euro 2024, where he captained the team to a thrilling 2-1 win over England in the final, Morata revealed that just months before the tournament, his mental health struggles nearly pushed him to quit football altogether.
In an emotional interview with El Partidazo, the Spanish star admitted, “When you go through tough times—depression, panic attacks—it doesn’t matter what your job is or how successful you are. There’s another person inside you that you have to fight against, day and night. For me, leaving Spain was the best option; I just couldn’t handle it anymore.”
Morata made the move from Atlético Madrid to AC Milan and has enjoyed a promising start at San Siro, scoring two goals in six matches across all competitions. Yet, his time in Spain was marred by internal struggles that almost made him hang up his boots for good.
“I had a really rough time,” Morata said. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to put on my boots and step onto the pitch again. But with the help of so many people—Simeone, Koke, Miguel Ángel Gil, my psychiatrist, my coach—I pulled through. We’re what you see on TV and social media, but often that’s not the full picture. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”
At his lowest point, the anxiety and pressure became so overwhelming that it started affecting his everyday life.
“There was a time when I couldn’t even lace up my boots. If I did, I’d have to rush home because my throat would close up, and my vision would blur. It was scary.”
Morata recalled questioning whether he could even play in the Euro 2024 tournament. “Three months before the Euros, I wondered if I’d ever play another match. I didn’t understand what was happening to me, but it was complicated. What I loved most—football—became what I hated the most.”
He also shared how his struggles impacted his family life. Morata admitted he would avoid public outings with his children to escape the cruel comments and jokes he often received from fans.
“People made so many jokes about me, even in front of my kids, that I became embarrassed to be seen with them. I felt like I was always the easy target for a laugh.”
Despite the challenges, Morata’s courage in speaking out about his mental health has resonated with many, and his journey serves as a reminder that even those in the public eye face battles that aren’t always visible.
Today, Morata continues his football journey with AC Milan, with a renewed focus on his mental well-being, supported by the people closest to him.
