Career Timeline of Álvaro Morata: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Álvaro Morata made an impact.

Álvaro Morata is a Spanish professional footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Galatasaray, on loan from AC Milan, and is the captain of the Spain national team. Known for his prolific goal-scoring ability, Morata has played for major clubs throughout Europe. His career has involved successful spells in Serie A, La Liga, and the English Premier League. He is a key player for both club and country.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1950: Morata equals Telmo Zarra's record

During the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Álvaro Morata equaled Telmo Zarra's 1950 record for Spain by scoring in all three matches against Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan.

2008: Morata signs for Real Madrid

In 2008, Morata signed for Real Madrid from Getafe, after starting at Atlético Madrid.

2009: Morata plays in U-17 World Cup

In 2009, Álvaro Morata was selected to the Spain under-17 team for the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, playing four matches and scoring two goals as Spain finished third.

July 2010: Morata Promoted to Real Madrid Castilla and joins Preseason Tour

In July 2010, after a successful season with the Juvenil A team, Morata was promoted to Real Madrid Castilla. Later that month, he was taken on a preseason tour in the United States by first-team manager José Mourinho.

August 2010: Morata debuts with Castilla and scores

On 15 August 2010, Morata made his debut with Castilla in a friendly match with Alcorcón, scoring the only goal of the game.

December 2010: Morata Debuts for Real Madrid First Team

On 12 December 2010, Morata debuted for Real Madrid's first team, substituting Ángel Di María in a 3–1 La Liga win against Real Zaragoza. Ten days later, he appeared in the Copa del Rey as a substitute.

2010: Morata Debuts with Real Madrid

In late 2010, Morata began his senior career with La Liga club Real Madrid.

February 2011: Morata scores first hat-trick

On 13 February 2011, Morata scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 7–1 victory against Deportivo Fabril.

2011: Morata wins UEFA European Under-19 Championship

In 2011, Álvaro Morata helped Spain win the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Romania. He scored six goals, becoming the competition's highest scorer.

November 2012: Morata Scores First Goal for Real Madrid

On 11 November 2012, Morata scored his first competitive goal for Real Madrid's first team, scoring the winner in a 2–1 away win against Levante.

March 2013: Morata Plays Full El Clásico and Assists Goal

On 2 March 2013, Morata played the full 90 minutes of El Clásico against Barcelona, assisting Karim Benzema to score the opener in an eventual 2–1 home win.

2013: Morata Wins UEFA European Under-21 Championship

In 2013, Morata helped Spain win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

2013: Morata wins the Champions League with Real Madrid

In 2013, Morata won the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid.

2013: Morata wins Golden Boot at UEFA European Under-21 Championship

In 2013, Álvaro Morata won the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Israel, scoring four goals in five matches. He was also named in UEFA's Squad of the Tournament.

March 2014: Morata shaves hair in solidarity with sick children

In March 2014, Álvaro Morata shaved off all of his hair in solidarity with sick children, explaining that he did it because they wanted his haircut but couldn't have it.

March 2014: Morata scores first Champions League goal

On 18 March 2014, Morata scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League, contributing to a 3–1 win over Schalke 04.

July 2014: Juventus Announces Morata Transfer Agreement

On 19 July 2014, Juventus announced that they had reached an agreement for the fee of €20 million for the transfer of Morata, who signed a five-year deal, with Real Madrid having the option to buy him back in the future.

November 2014: Morata called up to Spain's senior squad

On November 7, 2014, Álvaro Morata was called up to the senior squad for matches against Belarus and Germany. He debuted against Belarus on November 15, replacing Isco.

2014: Morata's senior debut for Spain

In 2014, Morata made his senior debut for the Spain national team.

2014: Morata moves to Juventus

In 2014, Morata moved to Serie A club Juventus for €20 million, where he won the domestic league and Coppa Italia in both of his seasons with the club.

January 2015: Morata scores winning goal against Parma in Coppa Italia

On 28 January 2015, Morata scored the only goal in the Coppa Italia fixture against Parma, securing a 1-0 win and qualification for the semi-finals.

March 2015: Morata scores first senior international goal

On March 27, 2015, Álvaro Morata scored his first senior international goal, the only goal in a victory over Ukraine in Seville.

March 2016: Morata scores twice against Torino

On 20 March 2016, Morata came off the bench in the first half of the Derby della Mole against Torino and scored twice in a 4–1 victory.

June 2016: Real Madrid Re-signs Morata

On 21 June 2016, Real Madrid exercised their buy-back clause to re-sign Morata from Juventus for €30 million.

2016: Morata represents Spain at UEFA Euro 2016

In 2016, Morata represented Spain at UEFA Euro 2016.

2016: Morata returns to Real Madrid

In 2016, Morata was bought back by Real Madrid for €30 million, where he won a La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.

2016: Morata Selected for Euro 2016

In 2016, Álvaro Morata was selected for the Euro 2016 finals in France. He started and scored a brace in a 3-0 group win against Turkey in Nice.

April 2017: Morata Scores Hat-Trick Against Leganés

On 5 April 2017, Morata scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 away win against Leganés.

July 2017: Chelsea Announces Agreement to Transfer Morata

On 19 July 2017, Chelsea announced that they had agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Morata, for a reported club-record fee of around £60 million. On 21 July, he passed his medical and officially became a Chelsea player.

August 2017: Morata Makes Debut and Scores in Premier League

In August 2017, Morata made his competitive debut in the 2017 FA Community Shield match against Arsenal, and on 12 August 2017, he scored and provided an assist in his first Premier League appearance against Burnley.

September 2017: Morata scores against Italy in World Cup qualifiers

On September 2, 2017, Álvaro Morata scored in the 77th minute to help Spain defeat Italy 3–0 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

November 2017: Morata scores against Manchester United

On 5 November 2017, Morata scored in the 1–0 home win against Manchester United, coached by his former boss Mourinho.

2017: Morata joins Chelsea

In 2017, Morata joined Premier League club Chelsea for a club record fee of around £60 million.

August 2018: Morata opens scoring account

On 18 August 2018, Morata opened his account for the season, scoring the second goal in a 3–2 home victory against Arsenal.

2018: Morata left out of Spain's World Cup squad

In 2018, Álvaro Morata was left out of Spain's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in Russia, following an indifferent season at Chelsea.

January 2019: Morata joins Atlético Madrid on loan

In January 2019, Morata returned to Spain to join Atlético Madrid on loan.

July 2019: Atlético Madrid Confirms Permanent Signing of Morata

On 6 July 2019, Atlético Madrid confirmed the permanent signing of Morata from Chelsea, officially joining on 1 July 2020.

August 2019: Morata scores in La Liga opener

On 18 August 2019, Morata scored the only goal in Atlético Madrid's La Liga opener win against Getafe.

October 2019: Morata Marks 300th Professional Game and Scores First Champions League Goal for Atlético

On 1 October 2019, Morata marked his 300th professional game with an assist, and on 22 October, he scored his first Champions League goal for Atlético Madrid, also becoming the first player to score for both Real Madrid and Atlético in the Champions League.

March 2020: Morata Scores Winning Goal Against Liverpool in Champions League

On 11 March 2020, Morata scored the final goal in extra time against defending champions Liverpool in the Champions League, securing a 3–2 away win and qualification to the quarter-finals.

July 2020: Morata Officially Joins Atlético Madrid Permanently

On 6 July 2019, Atlético Madrid confirmed the permanent signing of Morata from Chelsea, and he would officially join the club on 1 July 2020, for a fee around £58 million.

September 2020: Morata Returns to Juventus on Loan

On 22 September 2020, Morata returned to Juventus on a one-year loan worth €10 million, with an option for purchase.

2020: Morata represents Spain at Euro 2020

In 2020, Morata represented Spain at UEFA Euro 2020.

2020: Morata scores against Poland in Euro 2020

In Spain's second group match of Euro 2020 against Poland on June 19, 2021, Álvaro Morata scored the opening goal in an eventual 1–1 draw.

January 2021: Morata wins Supercoppa Italiana

On January 20, 2021, Álvaro Morata contributed to Juventus's victory in the Supercoppa Italiana, as they beat Napoli 2–0, with Morata scoring the second goal in the match.

May 2021: Morata included in Spain's Euro 2020 squad

On May 24, 2021, Álvaro Morata was included in Luis Enrique's 24-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020.

June 2021: Morata's loan with Juventus extended

On June 15, 2021, Álvaro Morata's loan with Juventus was extended until June 30, 2022, continuing his stint with the Italian club.

June 2022: End of loan with Juventus

By June 2022, Álvaro Morata had scored nine goals in 35 Serie A appearances. Juventus chose not to activate the buy option of €35m for Morata.

July 2022: Morata returns to Atlético Madrid

In July 2022, Atlético Madrid confirmed that Álvaro Morata would return to Madrid at the end of his loan spell at Juventus.

September 2022: Morata secures Nations League Finals spot for Spain

On September 27, 2022, Álvaro Morata scored a late goal to secure a 1–0 victory over Portugal, helping Spain clinch top spot in their group and qualify for the Nations League Finals.

November 2022: Morata named in Spain's World Cup squad

In November 2022, Álvaro Morata was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

2022: Morata returns to Atlético Madrid

In 2022, Morata ended his loan spell at Juventus and returned to Atlético Madrid.

2022: Morata represents Spain at the FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Morata represented Spain at the FIFA World Cup.

March 2023: Morata named captain of Spain

In March 2023, Álvaro Morata was named as captain of the Spain national team by head coach Luis de la Fuente.

June 2023: Morata wins Nations League Finals with Spain

In June 2023, Álvaro Morata was selected in the final squad for the Nations League Finals, which Spain won for the first time after defeating Croatia 5–4 on penalties.

August 2023: Morata scores brace in Atlético's biggest away win

On August 28, 2023, Álvaro Morata scored a brace in a 7–0 win over Rayo Vallecano, contributing to Atlético's biggest away win in La Liga history.

September 2023: Morata scores first La Liga goals against Real Madrid

On September 24, 2023, Álvaro Morata scored a brace in a 3–1 victory over Real Madrid, marking his first La Liga goals against his former club.

January 2024: Morata scores first hat-trick with Atlético Madrid

On January 3, 2024, Álvaro Morata scored his first hat-trick with Atlético Madrid against Girona in a 4–3 loss.

July 2024: Morata joins AC Milan

On July 19, 2024, Álvaro Morata joined Serie A club AC Milan on a four-year contract with the option for a further season. He considered wearing number 22 but settled on number 7.

2024: Morata captains Spain to victory at Euro 2024

In 2024, Morata captained the Spain national team to victory at Euro 2024.

2024: Morata joins AC Milan

In 2024, Morata joined Serie A club AC Milan for a fee of €13 million.

2024: Morata leads Spain to Euro 2024 victory

In 2024, Álvaro Morata captained Spain to victory in UEFA Euro 2024, scoring the opening goal against Croatia and recording an assist against France. He became one of 13 players to have won both youth and senior Euro titles.

2024: Morata's Euro 2024 qualification hat-trick

On September 8, 2023, Álvaro Morata scored his first international hat-trick in a 7–1 win away to Georgia in UEFA Euro 2024 qualification.

February 2025: Morata joins Galatasaray on loan

In February 2025, Álvaro Morata joined Süper Lig club Galatasaray on loan from AC Milan, with an option to buy set at €10 million, due to an injury to Mauro Icardi. On February 3, 2025, Morata debuted for Galatasaray in a 1-0 victory against Gaziantep.

April 2025: Morata scores two goals against Eyüpspor

On April 27, 2025, Álvaro Morata delivered a standout performance in a league match against Eyüpspor, assisting one goal and scoring two in the 87th and 89th minutes, contributing to a 5–1 victory.