For many fans, Alvaro Morata is the guy who’s worn some of Europe’s most iconic shirts — Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid.
But behind the goals, trophies, and high-profile transfers, Morata has been quietly battling something far more consuming than any defender: his mental health.
Now, at 32, the Spanish striker is baring it all in a deeply personal new documentary titled Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am, set to air June 17 on Movistar Plus+.
And what he reveals is raw, emotional, and, above all, brutally human.
Struggling to Stay Afloat After Euro 2024
In a stunning admission, Morata shares that just before captaining Spain to Euro 2024 glory, he nearly didn’t go.
His mental state had deteriorated so much that he tried to fake an injury to skip the tournament.
He was consumed by overwhelming anxiety, fear, and relentless criticism that left him, as he put it, “mentally broken.”
“I was afraid of everything,” he says. “Afraid to sleep and not wake up. My chest would tighten.
I couldn’t breathe.” The abuse and pressure had reached such a high that he called Spain’s team doctor, Oscar Celada, and begged to be pulled from the squad.
A Call From Iniesta and the Power of Support
That desperate phone call ended up being a turning point.
Rather than being dropped, Morata was connected with Andrés Iniesta — a legend on the field and someone who knows the sting of depression personally. It helped. Slowly.
Morata also began seeing psychiatrist Pilar de Castro-Manglano, who compares his recovery to healing a torn ligament.
“You have to learn to walk again,” she said. “Even more so when you live in the public eye.”
Behind Closed Doors: Crying Alone in the Locker Room
One of Morata’s lowest points came after Atletico Madrid’s 2024 Champions League exit against Borussia Dortmund.
A missed one-on-one with the keeper haunted him.
He stayed in the locker room long after the final whistle, just wanting to cry.
That moment triggered a spiral.
“I had horrible, self-destructive thoughts,” he says in the film.
“I thought, what’s the point in going to the Euros if people just insult my family, whistle at me, mock me? If I quit Spain, they win.”
Finding Light in the Game Again
Thankfully, Morata did go. Not only did he play, but he also became an essential part of Spain’s run, creating space for stars like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo to shine.
Between games, he leaned on golf outings with teammates and one-on-one therapy to stay grounded.
Spain’s win over England in the Euro 2024 final — sealed with an 86th-minute goal by Mikel Oyarzabal — became what Morata now calls “the happiest moment of my career.”
Leaving Atletico Madrid for His Sanity
Despite a solid career with Atletico Madrid, the striker made the decision to leave in 2024 for a fresh start with AC Milan.
Why? Simple: he feared slipping into depression again.
“I could not risk another depression,” Morata admitted. “I wanted to win trophies with Atletico, but it just wasn’t worth it anymore.”
A Love Story Tested by Tragedy
Morata’s emotional challenges weren’t limited to the pitch.
His wife, Alice Campello, nearly died in 2023 while giving birth to their daughter Bella.
The trauma deeply impacted both of them and led to a temporary separation after Euro 2024. Thankfully, they’ve since reunited.
Morata has long praised Alice for her strength and support, and she, too, has faced her own mental health struggles.
Together, they’ve navigated a journey filled with both pain and healing.
Shame, Panic Attacks, and the Weight of Public Judgment
In a past interview with Spanish radio station Cope, Morata pulled no punches when talking about how depression and panic attacks crippled him.
“It doesn’t matter how famous you are,” he said.
“When you’re in that dark place, it’s like you’re fighting another version of yourself every day.”
The emotional toll was so deep that he struggled to even lace his boots, often returning home mid-training in panic.
Public outings with his kids became shameful affairs, with fans yelling insults or cracking jokes at his expense.
Choosing Peace Over Proving Himself
Years of being an easy target for critics left scars.
Morata felt like a walking punchline — mocked in stadiums, attacked online.
Even though he’s lifted five league titles and two Champions League trophies, the personal price became too high.
Ultimately, he made the decision to leave Spain’s toxic football culture behind, at least club-wise.
In Milan, he hopes for something more than just trophies — he wants peace of mind.
A Photo That Changed Everything
Despite the pain, Morata holds on to one moment as a symbol of resilience: a photo of him celebrating as European champion.
That image, he says, gave him something the criticism never could — respect.
“It changed my life,” he reflects. “That photo will always be there.”
What Comes Next
As Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am prepares to air, the world will get a much deeper look at the man behind the headlines.
Not just a striker, not just a name on a scoresheet — but a father, a husband, a survivor, and someone still healing.
And in sharing his story, Morata isn’t just helping himself.
He’s showing every young athlete and fan that it’s okay to speak up, to struggle, and to fight back — even when the world is watching.