Morata: I would certainly like to return to Spain, but honestly the chances are already very small

In an interview with Cadena SER, Morata discussed his plans for the future of his career and responded to topics including VAR, Mourinho and Rodri joining Barcelona. He also spoke about missing the World Cup, the possibility of returning to the Spain national team in the future, and Julian Alvarez's current situation at Atletico Madrid. This is the second part of the interview.

Do you think you will become a coach in the future?

I have always said no, but I think I would probably do a good job. The only problem is that, because of my personality, if there is someone who clearly deserves to play but I have to leave him out of the team, I don't think I could do it.

I would not be able to sleep at night. There is no coach who can be perfect tactically while also managing a team perfectly. Right now I am still focused on giving everything I have during these final years of my playing career. After that, I will have time to think about these things.

Do you feel this is the final stage of your career as a professional player?

I don't know. It depends on my physical condition. My body is in very good shape now, but I still need to regain a little match rhythm.

And now with the new rules, you don't have as much time to rest. Before, someone would always go down and the match would stop for a while. I think referees sometimes create more problems for themselves because they say only the captain can communicate with them, but at the same time they only give you five seconds to restart the game, so everyone starts complaining.

I also don't think it is fair that after a player is hit hard by an opponent, he is the one who has to leave the field. But that is football.

Did you watch the penalty incident from the Real Madrid vs Real Betis match a few days ago?

This is just my personal opinion, but I prefer football from before VAR existed. We are all human. Just as I make mistakes, referees also make mistakes. That was always part of football, and we played under those circumstances in the past as well.

Sometimes even with an action involving yourself, you do not know whether it is a penalty or not. For me, VAR has made everything far too complicated.

If VAR had a sensor that could directly determine whether contact happened or not, that would be a different matter. But the current situation involves both the main referee's judgment and the judgments of several people in the VAR room.

Did you see what Mourinho said at the press conference this morning?

Do you want me to tell the truth? I had been waiting for him to say something like that for a long time, because I found it interesting.

I mean from the perspective of a fan. Of course, I hope Atletico Madrid can win the league title, but if there is a derby, I would watch it, and I would also watch because of him. He makes matches more interesting.

I was going to say that you might have been the most sensational transfer among Spanish players, but now there is also a guy called Rodri...

If I had to bet, I would have guessed before that he would eventually go to Barcelona. But I don't have any inside information. I think that is the place that suits him best, and he knows the most teammates there.

Rodri and Pedri? Look at how many brilliant performances they have already produced when playing together. Those who say they cannot play together are simply talking nonsense.

What do you think about the Spain national team? When you saw Rodri lift the trophy, did you think that the person standing there could originally have been you?

Your emotions must have been very mixed. On one hand, of course you think that way. I really wanted to take part in the World Cup.

But I went to New York, and at that time I almost felt like I was also part of the team because I saw many players who had started entering the national team with me back then. You can think about what might have happened if the past year had been different, but there is no point in thinking that way.

Actually, before Luis de la Fuente announced the squad, I already had a clear idea in my mind. We are all human, so a part of you will always hope that he can take you and continue to hold onto that possibility.

I also think I could have contributed to this team and helped create a good atmosphere. But at the same time, for the coach, if I am not there, things may also be easier. Imagine that when the World Cup starts, everyone begins saying: 'Why is Morata there?'

It would be better to avoid that kind of noise. Borja and other forwards also deserved to be selected. I have always said this about Oyarzabal's quality, and the same goes for Ferran. He scored the goal that I also really wanted to score myself, and I was extremely happy for him.

What exactly happened at the time? Did Luis call you and tell you that he would not take you?

Yes, he personally called me and told me I would not go. I think it was even before the preliminary squad was announced. I am grateful to him. I told him I completely understood and wished them all the best in the world.

The only thing is that he did not fulfill his promise to me. Because he told me at the time that if Spain won the title, he would come out riding a horse with the trophy in his hands... But maybe he still has time now (laughs). Those guys did keep their promises, didn't Cucurella get that tattoo?

Would you still consider returning to the Spain national team?

Yes, I would certainly not close that door. I would absolutely like to return to the national team. But we have to be honest: given the current situation, it is really very difficult.

Because the competition is so intense, I think the chances are very small. A few days ago I was talking about this with everyone in the dressing room. Spain are currently in a fantastic period at the No. 9 position, with players such as Espi, Gonzalo, Schupe, Arnau Ortiz and Omorodion... along with those already in the national team. I think Spain has not had such a high level across all positions for a very long time.

What do you think about Julian Alvarez's current situation at Atletico Madrid?

I think Atletico fans need him, and there are things in life that you have to learn to forgive. I hope he can score a great goal soon. Seeing the way he looks on the pitch now really hurts me.