Morata Missed Spain’s World Cup Triumph but Refuses to Quit: ‘I’m Not Closing the Door’

Alvaro Morata watched Spain lift the 2026 World Cup from his sofa. The man who captained La Roja to Euro 2024 glory against England in Berlin was cut by Luis de la Fuente before the tournament, then saw his former team-mates conquer North America without him. Yet, speaking in an interview reported by Goal, the 33-year-old, now on loan at Leganes from Como, insists he is not closing the door on Spain. And a candid phone call from the head coach, he says, made all the difference.

The phone call from De la Fuente

Luis de la Fuente rang Morata personally before Spain’s World Cup 2026 squad was announced. The head coach explained his reasoning directly rather than letting the striker learn his fate through the media. Morata described the conversation as honest and credited De la Fuente for handling it with respect.

The reason was simple: competition. Morata himself admits the depth of Spain’s attacking options makes a recall difficult. At 33, and after an underwhelming season with Como in Serie A, he had lost ground to a younger generation that went on to win the whole thing.

Watching his team-mates lift the trophy

Morata says he followed Spain’s run like a supporter and felt genuine emotion watching his former team-mates lift the World Cup. There was no public bitterness. He preferred to focus on the joy of a group he had captained to the European title two years earlier.

English fans know the sting of that Euro 2024 final all too well. Morata led the line for Spain in Berlin as Gareth Southgate’s side fell short again. That he was absent from the World Cup triumph shows how quickly Spain’s squad has evolved since that night.

Leganes and the Segunda Division gamble

On loan from Como, Morata has dropped into the Segunda Division, Spain’s second tier, with Leganes. The Madrid-area club offers him regular minutes and a familiar setting: he came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid before his career took him across Europe.

It is a pragmatic move. After spells at Juventus, Chelsea, Atletico, AC Milan and Como, the goal is no longer Champions League nights but rhythm and goals. Consistency is exactly what a head coach looks for before recalling a veteran.

Is a Spain recall realistic?

Morata is under no illusions. He knows the competition is fierce and that any return depends entirely on his form at Leganes. But he refuses to announce his international retirement, leaving the decision in De la Fuente’s hands.

Timing works against him. A coach fresh from winning the World Cup rarely has reason to recall a 33-year-old playing in the second division. Only injuries or a dip in form among the current forwards would open a window. Morata concedes as much between the lines, but prefers to let his football do the talking.

The Chelsea chapter and what comes next

Premier League supporters remember Morata’s spell at Chelsea between 2017 and 2019, a period that promised more than it delivered despite a bright start under Antonio Conte. His career since has been defined by resilience, with a Euro 2024 title and a place among Spain’s all-time leading scorers.

Spain won the 2026 World Cup without the captain of its 2024 European triumph, a reminder of the squad depth that England and every other rival now face. For Morata, the story may not be over. But if the door remains ajar, it is at Leganes, far from the spotlight, that he must prove he still deserves to walk through it.

FAQ