In an interview with ABC, Alvaro Morata has reflected on the mental battle he faced with himself in recent years and admitted that fans don’t believe footballers can have feelings.
The 26-year-old has recently returned to form for Chelsea and has once again been included by Luis Enrique in the Spain squad.
“To support the pressure [in football], you also have to work on your head,” he said.
“That’s the most important thing in our field.
“I was totally away from where I had to be, I had problems with myself.
“When you realise that, you have problems with everything.
“I was going against everyone: referees, opponents, the fans… I wasn’t balanced.
“You don’t want to go to training or even play.
“At first I was a little embarrassed to talk to a psychologist and tell them all my problems.
“The fans don’t think that we can have feelings because we are valued and paid well.
“Now I am happier than ever at Chelsea and in the national team, and that isn’t because I’m in my best form on the pitch.
“I’m scoring goals again but I have played better.
“It was important to get rid of all the negative thoughts that I had on top of me.”