Galatasaray's star striker Alvaro Morata announced the team he wants to play for

Sports Arena | Foreign News

Creation Date: February 25, 2025 11:50

32-year-old Spanish forward Alvaro Morata , who was loaned by Galatasaray from Milan with a purchase option during the mid-season transfer period, talked about his life in Istanbul and his future plans in an exclusive interview with MARCA.

WHY GALATASARAY?

When the MARCA reporter said that his transfer to Milan at the beginning of the season and to Galatasaray in the mid-season transfer window seemed surprising, Morata gave the following response:

"Football, like life, has its own conditions. After all, everyone has to think about their own business. If everything goes well, I will play in the Champions League next season and this is important for my career. I wanted to continue playing in the highest level organization in Europe. We want to wear the 5th star on our jersey, which means Galatasaray's 25th championship."

"Türkiye IS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE"

Morata, who said that he was very happy in Istanbul, said, "I am having an experience that may seem different and incomprehensible at first when looked at from the outside. However, Turkey is a wonderful country, Galatasaray is an incredible club and the people are extremely nice. I love my life here and I am very happy to come."

“IT’S BEEN SAID THAT THE TURKS ARE GREAT PEOPLE, BUT UNTIL YOU COME HERE AND SEE IT YOU DON’T REALIZE THAT THERE’S MUCH MORE THAN TOLD!”

Morata responded to the question "What did you find in Istanbul , apart from a good club and a great atmosphere?" as follows:

"I found a place where I am given so much attention, so much affection, so much love, where I feel like a special person. I am very pleased with the people. Everyone told me that the Turks are a wonderful nation, but until you come here and see it, you don't realize that there is more to it than what is told. They give you everything they have. I feel calmer and more at peace here than in other places in Europe."

"I AM VERY HAPPY IN TURKEY!"

When asked if the passion in Turkish football is really as much as it is said, Morata replied: "Yes, it is real. Everywhere you go or in a restaurant, they somehow make sure you see which team they support, but they always do it in a very polite, humorous and very respectful way. Negredo, Guti, Riera, Mata told me about the greats of Turkey, but I couldn't believe it until I came here and saw it. The truth is, I am very happy!"

"I WANT TO PLAY IN GETAFE BEFORE I END MY CAREER"

Morata, who said that he really wanted to wear the Getafe jersey before ending his career, said, "I want to repay Getafe President Angel Torres for all the attention and love he showed me when I was 13 years old. My heart tells me to go back to Getafe and play for a year or two, to experience the pleasure of wearing that jersey. I hope that will happen after this experience in Turkey . I would love to be able to play for Getafe before ending my career."

*Note: Morata played for Getafe youth academy for one year when he was 15 years old.

MORATA'S GALATASARAY PERFORMANCE

Morata, who was loaned from Milan for 6 million Euros for 1 year during the mid-season transfer period, has a purchase option of 8 million Euros.

The 32-year-old Spanish striker has scored 2 goals in 4 official matches he has played for Galatasaray so far.