The Morata enigma: a penalty, an ambiguous phrase, and an uncertain year ahead before the World Cup.

Almost all of the Spanish national team players have their quirks, their superstitions, before the start of matches. Álvaro Morata does too. And although changes at the Federation have meant that this Nations League training camp was short on people, Federation employees who are important to him, the captain maintained those quirks via WhatsApp (you know: phrases, messages, specific words, etc.) while on the bus to the semifinal against France and the final against Portugal.

His presence in the competition that closed the season for the national team was symbolic. He played the last 10 minutes of extra time because Mikel Oyarzabal could barely walk from the effort he had put in. And as fate would have it, when it came to penalties, he was the one who missed the fourth penalty. Just as happened in the Euro 2021 semifinals at Wembley against Italy, Morata missed.

It was Luis de la Fuente who asked him to take the shot, and his gestures, even as he was on the way to the ball, hinted at the outcome. "These things happen. Last year I had to lift the Euros as captain and this time I missed the penalty. I feel bad for my teammates," he said in the mixed zone at the Allianz Arena, where he also made one of those typical comments of his: "I'm sure there's nothing, it depends on many things. You have to think things through calmly, but of course it's a possibility that I won't be back in September," he announced well into the early hours of Monday morning.

Contract until January

This isn't the first time he's said this. Last year, in an interview with this newspaper 48 hours before the Euros semi-final against France, he said verbatim: "It's likely I'll leave the national team after the Euros." In fact, those close to him took it for granted, as he was also immersed in his separation from his wife, which later proved temporary. However, he never announced his departure. This afternoon in Madrid, the presentation of his documentary was scheduled, where he might have been able to clear up those doubts, but the player has canceled his selection.

From within (the coach, teammates, etc.) he's been urged not to leave. He's an important player for the group, and the World Cup is just a year away. Having earned 89 caps and scored 37 goals (fourth all-time, one behind Fernando Torres ), Morata has a contract with Galatasaray until January, and depending on what he decides, it would be important for him to find a good team that, in the five months leading up to the World Cup, would allow him to play. That is, if he doesn't say goodbye before then.

Because his importance on the pitch has diminished, that's clear. Oyarzabal's Nations League triumph in the center-forward role somewhat closes the debate surrounding that position on the pitch. Admittedly, he's not a typical center-forward, but with two assists on France Day and a goal in the final against Portugal, plus everything he contributes in pressing and moving the ball out, he's now considered the starting nine, ahead of other options like Samu Omorodion , almost unheard of in this Nations League, or Dani Olmo , who could also play there. That very scarcity contributes to the belief that Morata could continue.