Morata: ‘I should have never left Atletico Madrid for Milan’ | OneFootball

Alvaro Morata has admitted he regrets leaving Atletico Madrid for Milan last summer, revealing that personal struggles led him to make the wrong decision. The Spanish striker explained that Paulo Fonseca’s relentless phone calls made him feel ‘loved and valued’, ultimately convincing him to make the move back to Serie A.

Morata managed just five goals in 16 league appearances before parting ways with the Rossoneri after six months, with Sergio Conceiçao’s arrival in late December playing a key role in his exit.

In January, he joined Galatasaray on a paid loan, a deal that helped Milan fund the signing of Santiago Gimenez, a forward more aligned with Conceiçao’s tactical vision.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – FEBRUARY 9: Alvaro Morata of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor at Rams Park Stadium on February 9, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Looking back, however, Morata admits his biggest regret was misjudging Diego Simeone’s belief in him. Despite warnings from those closest to him, he failed to see the support he still had at Atletico, a realisation that only came once it was too late.

Morata explains why he swapped Atletico for Milan: ‘Fonseca called me every day’

“I should have never left Atlético, but I wasn’t feeling well, and when you’re not well, you make wrong decisions in every aspect of life,” Morata told Cadena Ser in an interview.

“Milan’s coach called me every day—I needed to feel loved and valued. I had to decide quickly, and I didn’t realise that Simeone also cared about me and valued me.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Alvaro Morata of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Empoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“My father and my agent told me I was making a mistake, but I didn’t listen to them. When you go through difficult times, everything seems gray, even if there are people around you telling you it’s not.

“If I could go back, I would never leave Atlético, but you can’t change the past, and now I’m very happy.”

Morata’s loan deal with the Turkish giants runs until January 2026 and includes an €8 million option to make the move permanent, exercisable by January 15, 2026.