(foto: Getty Images)
Álvaro Morata may retire from international football after facing insults and threats following his Nations League penalty miss, revealing emotional struggles and questioning whether continuing is worth it.
Álvaro Morata has admitted he is seriously considering retiring from international football following another wave of online abuse and in-stadium jeers from Spain fans.
The Spain captain missed the decisive penalty in the recent Nations League final defeat to Portugal, triggering a wave of harsh criticism. Speaking in his new documentary "Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am", the 32-year-old striker said he’s questioning whether staying with the national team is worth the personal toll.
“Is it worth it to keep coming to the national team only to be insulted and whistled at in the stadiums where you play wearing the national team jersey? It’s not worth it,” Morata said. He also shared that he often faces mockery and hostility from fans, even when accompanied by his family.
Morata has battled depression and anxiety, revealing he nearly faked an injury to avoid playing at Euro 2024. Abuse from fans dates back years, including death threats to his children after Euro 2020. His mental health struggles have been compounded by repeated scapegoating after poor results.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who convinced him to play through adversity at Euro 2024, may once again try to keep him involved ahead of the 2026 World Cup. But Morata’s latest comments suggest he’s nearing a final decision.