ALVARO MORATA has over 250 goals at the highest level of football to his name.
But despite his glut of goals and a slew of winner’s medals – which he’s picked up in stints in England, Italy and Spain – the striker has never been given his flowers.
And that’s even the case in his homeland, where he’s won nearly every trophy going.
In two stints with Real Madrid, Morata scored 31 goals in 95 appearances and twice tasted La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League glory.
And in 153 appearances for Los Blancos’ crosstown rivals Atletico, he’s found the back of the net 58 times.
Nearly a century of goals in 248 appearances for two of Spain’s biggest teams is nothing to be sniffed at.
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Neither is his record for his country, which any aspiring striker would be more than happy to have.
In nearly 80 appearances for the three-time Euros winners – 79 to be precise – Morata has found the back of the net 36 times.
A record of nearly a goal every other game shouldn’t be overlooked, in particular by England fans basing their opinions on him solely on his disappointing stint with Chelsea.
Unlike some high-scoring strikers of yesteryear, Morata hasn’t padded out his record with goals galore against minnow nations.
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England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
He’s bagged strikes against the creme de la creme of European football, scoring against the likes of Italy, Germany and Portugal.
The 31-year-old has also turned up when his country has needed him in tournaments, scoring in four of the last five major competitions.
But Morata is much more than just a goalscorer for La Roja. The skipper is a workhorse who puts in a shift defensively when required.
Defending from the front and tracking back are elements of Morata’s game that are often overlooked by both English and Spanish footie fans.
Those elements are just small examples of the immense passion he has for the shirt, which sometimes leaves him on the verge of tears.
“We are fortunate to have Alvaro,” said Atletic Bilbao and Spain left-back Dani Vivian. “It’s a privilege.
“We couldn’t be more grateful.
“The way he defends is his way of living every day. You couldn’t be more committed.
“He finishes the games almost in tears because he has such a huge desire for everything to go well, which he shows on the pitch.
“Our forward is our first defender and that speaks highly of him.”
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The public praise Morata often receives from his team-mates is a testament to how much they value him – unlike some Spain fans.
But his often vocal detractors will be silenced and forced to finally give him his flowers if he leads Spain to yet more Euros glory against England on Sunday night.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
