Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has revealed how Zinedine Zidane convinced him to turn down lures from elsewhere and remain with his boyhood club.
Morata, 23, left the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2014 and the forward had since come on leaps and bounds at Juventus over the last two years.
Madrid-born Morata managed 93 appearances for Juventus across all competitions during his time with the Bianconeri, netting 27 goals in the process.
It was his strong form there which prompted plenty of interest in his services over the summer, with Morata revealing last month that Chelsea made a record £60 million bid to sign him, one which would have made him the most expensive Spanish player ever.
However, Morata always had his heart set on a return to the Spanish capital and has discussed the role Zidane played in him moving back to Real Madrid.
“I spoke to Zidane and [he] told me I would be important and would play a lot,” Morata told Cadena SER. “I did not even think about it. I talked to several coaches from other teams but I thought this opportunity in Madrid may not return. The Madrid was the one I wanted and I’m here.”
Morata has failed to rediscover his best form with Real Madrid, having netted just two goals across all competitions this season, but he is in line to start more often after the international break with Karim Benzema himself struggling in-front of goal.
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