Real Madrid host Italian giants AC Milan in the fourth matchweek of the League Phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions on Tuesday night.
The encounter against the Rossoneri will see the Spanish heavyweights come face-to-face with three of their former players in Theo Hernandez, Luka Jovic, and Alvaro Morata.
Ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, interacting with the media, Morata, who left Real Madrid’s local rivals Atletico Madrid for Milan in the summer, spoke about the kind of reception he will be getting at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“In the end, I think it will be the same as when I returned with Atleti. I don’t think things have changed much. But I’m aware of it and I expect to be booed and everything. It’s normal,” said Morata, who had two separate stints at Real Madrid.
Last week saw Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. miss out on the Ballon d’Or with Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri bagging the golden orb instead.
It sparked a lot of controversy, with Real Madrid even suspecting UEFA’s involvement in their superstar forward not winning despite being the leading favourite.
However, Morata insisted that he always expected Rodri to win the Ballon d’Or, saying: “I expected Rodri to win it. Today, it’s a great success for Spain to have Rodri on the pitch in the same way it was with Sergio Busquets before him.”
At the same time, the Spain national team captain insisted that he would have been happy to see Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal win the coveted honour, as long as it stayed in the country.
“It wouldn’t have mattered to me if either of them had won the Ballon d’Or. They are both Spanish, they are friends,” said Morata.
“I would have been happy if Carvajal had won. We’ve known each other since we were kids. I’m proud of him, the way he works and the way he faces life. I would have been just as happy for him.”
“There are players from other teams in other countries who also deserve it, but I am Spanish and there is no greater pride than to see a Spanish player at the top of the world,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo