Alvaro Morata

Alvaro went on to sign for Atletico’s academy in 2005, but after two years with Los Colchoneros he moved to Getafe before securing a move to La Liga champions Real Madrid, much to the delight of his mother - an avid Real Madrid fan. His performances at youth level earned him a call up to the National squad, where he’d go on to win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2011 and the Under-21 Championship in 2013, winning the Golden Boot on both occasions. However, it was at Real Madrid that he’d go on to sign his first professional contract and earn comparisons to club legend Fernando Morientes due to his ‘powerful, but elegant’ style of play.

“It was a dream to sign a professional contract - as a child I always wanted to be a professional footballer and play in the biggest leagues in the world. I’ve done that, and feel incredibly lucky to have played in La Liga, the Premier League and Serie A”. “I think a lot of families can fall into the trap of believing their son is the next global superstar, but in my experience the most important thing is to play without pressure, and focus on enjoying the game with your friends”.

He’s played for some of the biggest clubs in some of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, including Spain, Italy, and England. A new environment can often prove to be a ‘make or break’ situation for a footballer, but Alvaro admits the opportunity is something he and his family welcome with open arms.

“All of the clubs I’ve played for are at the top level of world football and they treat their players very well. The football and lifestyle depends on the country and there are definitely differences between them, but I was very happy in England and also in Italy”. “Moving to new places is a great opportunity to try new experiences and sample different lifestyles; we love to explore, walk, and visit the best restaurants”. “We always try to adapt together as a family - the club put all of the right platforms in place for us to be happy, but as long as we’re together we’re always happy wherever we are”.

The unique bond between Alvaro and Juve runs deeper than a simple working relationship. His first spell in Turin was hugely influential for his career, but also where he met his wife, Alice.

“It’s a great feeling to return to Juventus, I always felt attached to the club and I’m very happy here. When you are in a place that feels like home, there is always a hunger to return”. “I’ll always be ready to play for Juventus, it’s a great club, team and ultimately, a family, and we love Turin - it’s an amazing city”. “I have a lot of friends here and it’s a quiet place, which suits me as I like to walk into the city with Alice and my dog and people respect us and our privacy”.