Spanish footballer Alvaro Morata has expressed his regret over his decision to leave Atletico Madrid for Milan last summer, attributing his choice to personal issues that clouded his judgment.

After transferring from Atletico to Milan last summer, Morata played 16 league matches and scored five goals before moving on loan to Galatasaray in January.

He explained that persistent outreach from the then-coach of the Italian club, Paulo Fonseca, who made him feel valued, influenced his choice to depart, especially after Santiago Jiménez was signed, fitting the coach’s strategy better.

“Fonseca contacted me daily. I regret leaving Atletico; I wasn’t in a good place, and when you’re not well, you tend to make poor decisions in every area of life. The Milan coach reached out to me every day, and I craved that sense of love and appreciation. I had to make a quick decision and was unaware that Simeone also valued and cared for me,” Morata shared with Cadena Ser, as reported by Italian media.

“My father and my agent warned me that I was making a mistake, but I ignored them. When you’re facing challenges, everything feels bleak, even if those around you insist it isn’t. If I had the chance to go back in time, I would never have left Atletico, but the past cannot be altered, and now I’m content,” the 32-year-old striker added.

Morata is set to remain on loan at Galatasaray until January 2026.

His loan contract provides Galatasaray the option to purchase Morata for eight million euros until January 15, 2026.

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