Spanish striker Alvaro Morata expressed his admiration for the way Inter Milan players acknowledged the talent of young sensation Lamine Yamal following their intense Champions League semi-final encounter. However, Morata also admitted that Carlo Ancelotti`s choice to take charge of the Brazilian national team felt `strange`.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Morata discussed various topics, including his past experiences in Milan and his relationships with football figures like Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri.
Speaking while on duty with the Spanish national team for the Nations League semi-finals, the veteran forward also commented on his national teammate, the remarkable Lamine Yamal.
“He`s unbelievable, that`s just how he is. Super relaxed, always joking and laughing off the pitch, but the moment he steps onto the pitch, he completely transforms and gives absolutely everything,” Morata stated.
Morata continued his praise for Yamal, saying, “Nobody can stop him. I have truly never seen anything like it. I was particularly impressed by the recognition he received from the Inter players after the Champions League semi-finals. These are top-level, very experienced professionals.”
Among those who praised Yamal`s performance in the semi-finals, which Inter won with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline, was Inter and Italy star Alessandro Bastoni.
Yamal ended the 2024-25 season with impressive statistics for Barcelona, scoring 18 goals and providing 25 assists in 55 matches.
“Journalists and commentators literally sit in front of their TVs just to watch what he`s going to do next and try to figure out his limits,” Morata added.
“It`s incredible. He`s only 17 and has just signed a contract that extends until 2031, meaning it won`t end until he`s 23. Can you believe it, 23!”
Regarding whether Yamal could win the 2025 Ballon d’Or despite his young age, Morata certainly believes it is possible.
“I would love for Lamine to win it, just as I hoped last year for players like Rodri, Carvajal, or Fabian Ruiz,” Morata stated. “It`s a matter of national pride and identity. Honestly, I don`t think there`s any player right now who has the ability to make such a significant difference like Yamal does.”
With the World Cup set for next year and qualification matches underway, Italy is scheduled to play their first qualifier on June 6 against Norway. Meanwhile, Brazil has recently named Carlo Ancelotti as their new head coach.
“It feels strange because you would intuitively think he would be on the Italian bench before going to Brazil, but from another perspective, it makes sense,” Morata commented on Ancelotti`s move. “It`s one of the greatest coaches in history joining forces with one of the greatest national teams in history. Honestly, I`m not happy about it at all; he is going to make Brazil an incredibly tough opponent at the World Cup.”
Morata is currently on loan at Galatasaray until December 31, 2025, but he mentioned uncertainty about returning to Milan in 2026.
The striker, a former player for Juventus, has scored a total of 40 goals in 146 Serie A appearances across his spells with the `Old Lady` and Milan.
He serves as the captain for the Spanish national team, `La Roja`, having scored 37 goals in 84 appearances and winning the Euros last summer.
Since joining Galatasaray in the January 2025 transfer window, the Spanish international has registered seven goals and three assists in 16 appearances.
