Alvaro Morata has scored 21 goals in 44 appearances for his country. He has won 14 major trophies in club football. He has played for four of the biggest clubs in the world, and he has been transferred between them for a combined total of more than £170 million. If he finds the net against Switzerland tonight, he will become the highest scorer in Spain’s European Championship history.
Everything about his CV, and his list of accomplishments by the age of 28, therefore suggests that Morata must be one of the continent’s elite forwards. And yet, for many people, he still seems to be regarded more as a punchline – or punchbag – than as a top-level predator.
Few players at this summer’s Euros have endured an emotional journey as testing as Morata, and few players wear those emotions as visibly as the Spaniard. For some, this triggers a sort of strange sympathy. “He has got that vulnerable look about him, almost like he needs a cuddle,” said Gary Neville earlier in the tournament. For others, it leads to opprobrium.
Morata’s mentality is a frequent source of discussion and, to his credit, it is a topic he has never shied away from. He revealed he had come close to suffering depression during his first season at Chelsea, and he has also spoken candidly about using psychologists to help him cope with the pressure of being a leading centre-forward.
In a less cruel world, such honesty would provoke a sense of understanding from the wider population. But this is international football, and it is unforgiving. When Morata missed a handful of chances in a pre-tournament friendly against Portugal, Spain fans sang “Morata, how bad you are” at the forward.
More opportunities were wasted in the group stages, including a penalty against Slovakia, and Morata’s wife and children were shouted at by supporters in the stadium at Seville, and he has endured sleepless nights since.
“I would like people to put themselves in my shoes and think what it is like to get threats towards my family, people saying: ‘I hope your children die,’” he said.
Morata went on to issue a strong response scoring the crucial fourth goal in the dramatic 5-3 victory in Copenhagen. The finish, in itself, was a reminder of what Morata is capable of. Drifting to the back post, he controlled a swirling cross with his right foot and then unleashed a searing strike with his left.
More of those good moments could be on their way for Spain, who have suddenly emerged as the most dangerous attacking team in the tournament. Having scored just one goal in their opening two matches, they have since plundered ten in the last two. Luis Enrique has found a way to unlock the attacking potential in his side, and Switzerland have plenty to fear.
(© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2021)
Switzerland v Spain
Live, RTÉ2/ITV, 5.0
Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]