Latest news with #AndresIniesta
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Alvaro Morata admits he was 'depressed' and tried to 'fake an injury' to miss Spain's Euro 2024 win - as he reveals legend helped him through 'self-destructive' era which left him fearing he would die
Alvaro Morata has opened up on a 'self-destructive' period of depression which left him fearing death and making desperate attempts to avoid the game he loves most. The former Chelsea star revealed he called Spain's team doctor to try and fake an injury ahead of their victorious Euro 2024 campaign, where he was their captain. In a searingly honest upcoming documentary, Morata says a torrent of abuse throughout his career rendered him 'mentally broken' and he is still piecing his life back together. Morata's wife Alice Campello has also been through mental troubles and the duo split shortly after Euro 2024, though they have since reunited. He received help from Andres Iniesta, who suffered depression in his playing days after his close friend Dani Jarque died in 2009. 'You start to feel many things in your body and you don't know why or how,' Morata says in the documentary, as quoted by The Athletic. 'Your legs hurt. Your chest closes up. You can't breathe. I was afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. I was afraid of everything.' Morata: They Don't Know Who I Am premieres on Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus+ on June 17. The striker, 32 and now playing for AC Milan, reveals the burden of criticism he received after his then-club Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Borussia Dortmund in 2024. He had missed some chances - in particular a one-on-one with Gregor Kobel plagued his memory - and copped heavy flak in the aftermath. 'I was not able to follow the ball,' he says. 'We were not losing the game but in your head you had blown the chance to reach a Champions League final with Atletico. When the game was over, I stayed a long time alone in the dressing room. I just wanted to cry. From there, it all began. 'I had many horrible, self-destructive thoughts. It passed through my head to fake an injury, so I would not have to go (to the Euros). 'Is it worth playing for Spain if everywhere I go with my family, there are unpleasant incidents, with people insulting you and mocking you? 'If you go to stadiums, wearing the Spain jersey, and fans whistle you and abuse you. It's not worth it. There are many Spain fans who support me, but also many others who don't want me here. But if I retire from international football, they will win.' Morata rang Spain's team doctor Oscar Celada to try and withdraw from the Euros, but he arranged for him to speak with Iniesta. It was just as well that Morata went - he ended up playing in all of their games and was a key focal point, allowing Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo to wreak havoc. He saw a psychiatrist, Pilar de Castro-Manglan, between games at the tournament and enjoyed the 'therapy' of playing golf with team-mates Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Remiro. Fellow Atletico stars Koke and Miguel Angel Gil, as well as manager Diego Simeone, were also influential figures in helping him to see the light, as was Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. '(Alvaro) is now in a process of repair,' psychiatrist De Castro-Manglano says. 'It's like a ligament had broken, and you have to learn to walk again, to deal with the difficulties of life in a healthy way. Learning to manage life is difficult, even more in elite people who live in the public eye.' Morata's reward for marching on was the 'happiest moment of his career' - Oyarzabal's 86th-minute poke past Jordan Pickford to clinch the 2-1 win over England in Berlin. The pressure of playing for Spain and for Spanish clubs has long weighed on him and he has been abused by supporters in the past. His glittering career has seen him win five league titles: two with Real Madrid, two with Juventus, and one most recently on loan at Galatasaray last season. He also lifted the Champions League twice with Madrid. But the ire he was subjected to by Atletico fans convinced him he had to leave for Milan in 2024. He says: 'I could not risk another depression. I wanted to win trophies with Atletico Madrid, but it was not worth the possibility of going through another bad time. It's not nice for me to say it, but it was the easiest decision to make.' The father-of-four, who married Campello in 2017, also lost his wife in 2023 when she suffered a near-death experience giving birth to their daughter Bella. This is not the first time Morata has opened up on their struggles. Speaking to Spanish radio station Cope last year, he said: 'When you have really tough times, depression, panic attacks, it doesn't matter what job you do, it doesn't matter what situation you have in life, you have another person inside that you have to fight against every day, every night. 'In the end we are what you see on TV, what you see on social networks, but it's a world that is often not real. 'You have to give an image because it's your job and yes, I had a really bad time, I exploded and there came a time when I couldn't lace up my boots. When I laced up my boots I would run home because my throat would close up, I started to see blurry and it's difficult. 'Every time I went out with my children there was some episode with people, sometimes without malice. It reached a point that people said so many things to me that it made me ashamed to be with them. I was an easy joke to make people laugh. 'Often I have crossed the line. [People] have insulted me and I have tried to shame those people who were trying to make me feel bad. The Euros changed my life because they respect me more. That photo as a champion will always be there.'
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Outstanding' Reijnders is 'the perfect Man City player'
Tijjani Reijnders "is a very special talent" and "the perfect Manchester City player", says Italian football expert Mina Netherlands international is set to become City's first signing of the summer as a possible replacement for Kevin de Bruyne."He has been an outstanding midfielder this season for AC Milan," said Rzouki on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast. "He has a great talent for spotting spaces."He has said he modelled his style around Andres Iniesta as a child but, as he got older, it was Kevin de Bruyne he wanted to resemble on the pitch. "He has really worked on his football intelligence and how he reads the game, and that is why he knows how to spot spaces and exploit them. His off-the-ball running is really clever."I was shocked it was only 55m euros. To me, he is worth a lot more. He is a very special talent and one of the rare, beautiful things to watch from Milan this season."He scored in three derbies against Inter and against Real Madrid, so he always shows up in the big matches."In terms of his technical ability, he is the perfect Manchester City player."My one issue would be that he is not a physical player. He is not going to carry or press the ball, so they would still be dependent on Rodri providing that."Listen to Euro Leagues on BBC SoundsAnd listen to move from Rzouki about Reijnders on BBC Radio Manchester
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andreas Christensen picks his ultimate Barcelona XI full of icons and heroes
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen recently took some time to reflect on the rich history of the club by revealing his all-time favourite Barça starting XI. Speaking to the club's official media, the Danish centre-back picked a star-studded line-up filled with iconic players who have left a lasting impact on the Camp Nou. Advertisement His choices were a mix of footballing royalty, personal favourites, and teammates he's had the honour of sharing the pitch with. From rock-solid defenders to creative midfielders and game-changing forwards, Christensen's XI is a tribute to the club's greatest talents. Solid at the back, magic in the midfield In goal, Christensen had no doubts, as Victor Valdes was his pick. The Dane praised the legendary goalkeeper as a key figure in one of the greatest club teams ever. 'He was part of one of the best teams that has ever existed,' he said. His backline included Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Ronald Koeman and Jordi Alba. Each player, in Christensen's eyes, brought something unique to the team. 'Puyol's passion for football was incredibly important for the team,' he added. On Alba, whom he played alongside at Barça, he remarked, 'I saw how incredibly good he is, his assists and how he always pushed forward.' In midfield, Christensen selected Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Michael Laudrup. He spoke highly of Busquets' composure under pressure: Advertisement 'It was an honour to play with him. I don't know how, but he always turned in the right direction, never feeling the pressure.' Iniesta, his personal favourite, and Laudrup, his fellow Dane, completed a midfield full of elegance and intelligence. A front three that needs no introduction Up front, Christensen went with the legendary trio of Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, and Ronaldinho. The defender did not feel the need to explain this choice, simply stating that their inclusion 'needs no explanation.' All three changed the way football is played and helped shape the identity of FC Barcelona.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta sends fans into a frenzy as he delivers the Champions League trophy to Munich ahead of the final between PSG and Inter Milan
Fans in Munich were greated to the appearance of footballing legend Andres Iniesta, who helped deliver the Champions League trophy to the city that will hosting this year's final. The four-time winner partnered with official sponsors FedEx, who delivered European football's most prized piece of silverware from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland to the Champions League festival at the Olympiapark Munich ahead of the final. Iniesta led a procession - named the Walk of Champions - that was made up of stars from the local community, including International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children's, SCORING GIRLS*. Fans could hardly control themselves as the 41-year-old arrived in the Bavarian capital. Those involved in FedEx's Delivering For Success film were all given exclusive access to Iniesta with learning experiences covering education, equipment provision, coaching and career management. 'For me, being on the side of FedEx and working together for this special moment with the UEFA Champions League in this place like Munich is very special, and I'm very happy to be here,' said the legendary former midfielder, who won his fourth and final European crown in Germany a decade ago. Mail Sport had the chance to witness the frenzy that accompanied the Barcelona great's arrival, as well as the fun on offer for fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain 's clash against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena. Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta greets fans at Munich's Olympic Stadium ahead of the 2025 UEFA Champions League final The 41-year-old arrived to much fanfare on Thursday, accompanied by the Champions League trophy, whose delivery he oversaw from Switzerland The Walk of Champions was made up of stars from the local community, including International Football Club of Bern, DFI Football Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children's, SCORING GIRLS* Fans could hardly control themselves as the 41-year-old arrived in the Bavarian capital. Those involved in FedEx's Delivering For Success film were all given exclusive access to Iniesta The legendary Spanish midfielder is a four-time winner of the European Cup, with the last victory coming in Berlin in 2015 There was plenty of fun on offer for fans in Munich at the Champions League festival ahead of the much-anticipated match Italian giants Inter Milan are hoping to put their Serie A pain behind them and lift the trophy for the fourth time, while PSG are bidding for their first triumph Iniesta was named Player of the Match during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Juventus at the Olympiastadion a decade ago Signed jersey of players from every team in this year's competition were on display at the Olympiapark Munich ahead of the final A giant inflatable Champions League trophy welcomed visitors into the park, while games, food stalls and other attarctions were plentiful on the ground
The Mainichi
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Iniesta looks forward to 'El Clasico' in Kobe
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Former Spain and Barcelona star midfielder Andres Iniesta said Friday he looks forward to playing in a five-on-five exhibition match in Kobe on May 25 featuring former stars of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The match at GLION Arena Kobe will try to restage the El Clasico between the La Liga rival clubs. Iniesta played in the J-League for about five years, all with Vissel Kobe, through the summer of 2023. "Kobe is my second home, so I'm really looking forward to going back," Iniesta said in an online press conference. "Legendary players will get together. It's a special opportunity for me, too." It will also serve as a rematch of Iniesta's retirement game at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium last December. The participants are scheduled to include Romario and Pepe.
