"You come to the national team even if it's just to carry the equipment"

The Spanish national team are switching gears to focus on the 2026 World Cup qualifying phase. 'La Roja' face Bulgaria in their first match, and Alvaro Morata, who addressed the media in the pre-match press conference, spoke about his presence in the national setup.

"I am very happy to be with the national team and to start the qualifying phase, which is never easy. It seems easier than it is, and I know how difficult it is. You have to come here, even if it's just to carry the equipment," the striker said openly.

On whether this qualifying phase could be the beginning of the end of the journey, the Madrid native said: "My last call-up? It could be the last or not, injuries... so many things happen. It's another opportunity to represent my country, which is the best thing that has happened in my career."

In relation to his abrupt departure from Galatasaray, Morata, who published a statement attacking the club, spoke at length and clarified a few things: "I deleted what I published. Not everyone represents what I wrote. They treated me incredibly well, I would go back a thousand times. It may be things that happen in more places, when you have to leave there are factors that you cannot control, but I think that the fans did not deserve that, nor did I deserve some of the things that I had to accept to leave. I just wanted to be at the best possible level."

"It's better to have deleted the statement and thank the team for what they gave me in those six months. Everything makes you stronger, but I was wonderful, only in the last few days when I wanted to leave... but the people in Turkey were incredible," he added.

The only position that is not doubled in the national team is that of striker, and the Como frontman gave his opinion on the attack. "It's not that it's not doubled, it's that there are five or six players who can play there, and it's a great job for the manager who could make several different line-ups, there is a lot of competition, young players who are ready to come. There is no need to be overwhelmed, there are Samu, Gonzalo... players who will be in the national team, there is an amazing amount. Tranquility," he commented.

"The more options we have, the better, and we have them. There are not two players similar to me, but there are many more, even Dani Olmo played as a '9' and was the best player of the match recently, there are a lot of different solutions in this country," Morata said about the fight to be the '9' with teammates who are not pure strikers.

Again, the Madrid native was questioned about those difficult moments he experienced with 'La Roja' that made him doubt whether to continue: "They are difficult moments that I went through, that make you think about things, but being in the national team is the most wonderful thing. Sometimes you leave sad and you get home and they take you out of those thoughts. I will always be with Spain to the death, I just want to represent my country."

Finally, Morata, who has played 10 minutes in the last three matches with Spain, assured that he doesn't mind. "The best thing we have is that we are a great team. Here in my entire career I have had great players who have had to not play, like David Silva, or Cesc... I never saw a bad face and they were examples. Being here is a blessing, I couldn't take it badly," he concluded.