Spain striker Alvaro Morata has revealed he considered faking an injury to get out of playing at Euro 2024 "self-destructive" mental health struggles.
The 32-year-old made the confession in newly released documentary Morata: They Don’t Know Who I Am, in which he talks about the toll being a professional footballer takes on one’s mental health.
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Morata revealed that he considered faking an injury so he wouldn’t have to play at Euro 2024, which Spain went on to win.
"I had many horrible, self-destructive thoughts," Morata said. "It passed through my head to fake an injury, so I would not have to go (to the Euros)."
After contacting Spain’s team doctor, Oscar Celada, a meeting was set up with Andres Iniesta, who also struggled with depression throughout his playing career.