Alvaro Morata

Born in Madrid, Morata signed for Real Madrid in 2008 from neighbouring Getafe CF, finishing his formation two years later but starting appearing for Real Madrid C still as a junior. In July 2010, after a successful season with the Juvenil A team where he won two youth titles and scored 34 goals, he was promoted to Real Madrid Castilla; later that month, first team coach José Mourinho took the player alongside four teammates to a preseason tour in the United States.

In the 2013–14 season, Morata became a regular member of the first team squad under new coach Carlo Ancelotti. On 18 March 2014 he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League, closing the scoreline in a 3–1 win over FC Schalke 04 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for the round-of-16. On 17 May, in the last game of the league campaign, he netted two late goals against RCD Espanyol to help to a 3–1 home success and tally eight in the competition; he also featured in the club's victory in the final of the Champions League against Atlético Madrid, playing the last ten minutes of regular time and extra time after replacing Benzema.

On 19 July 2014, Juventus F.C. announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Morata, who signed a five-year deal for the fee of €20 million, with Real Madrid having the option to buy him back in the future. He made his debut in Serie A on 13 September, replacing Fernando Llorente for the final minute of a 2–0 home win against Udinese Calcio; two weeks later he again came on in place of his fellow Spaniard, and headed his first goal for his new club as it won 3–0 at Atalanta B.C.

On 21 June 2016, Real Madrid exercised their buy-back clause to bring back Morata from Juventus for €30 million. His first competitive appearance took place on 9 August, as he started in a 3–2 win over fellow Spaniards Sevilla FC for the UEFA Super Cup, being replaced by Benzema after 62 minutes. His first goal came in a 2–1 home success over Celta de Vigo, on 27 August.

On 19 July 2017, Premier League club Chelsea announced that they had agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Morata. The club stated the move was subject to a medical being passed and personal terms being agreed.[51] Real Madrid subsequently released a statement thanking Morata for his 'dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct' during his time at the club. On 21 July, Morata successfully passed his medical and officially became a Chelsea player.

Morata was called by the Spanish under-17 team for the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria, playing four matches and scoring two goals for the third-placed side.[55] Subsequently, he represented the under-19s at the Japan International Tournament,[56] helping to a second-place finish after the hosts.[57]

Morata was selected by Spain to the squad that appeared in the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Romania, helping the national team win the tournament with six goals, the highest in the competition. He made his debut with the under-21s at the 2013 European Championships in Israel, being essential in the first two group games against Russia and Germany by netting the solitary goal in each contest, respectively in the 82nd and 86th minutes; he closed out a perfect group stage for both team and player with his third, against the Netherlands (3–0)– eventually he was crowned the competition's top scorer, and it also ended in conquest.

On 7 November 2014, Morata was called up to full side manager Vicente del Bosque's squad for matches against Belarus and Germany. He made his debut against the former on the 15th, replacing Isco for the last ten minutes of a 3–0 win in Huelva for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers; in the same competition, on 27 March 2015, he scored his first senior international goal, the only in a victory over Ukraine in Seville.

Selected for the finals in France, Morata started and scored a brace in a 3–0 group stage win against Turkey in Nice.