Alvaro Morata believes he has become a more complete player over the last few years as he prepares to represent the Spain Under-21 side.
La Rojita meet Serbia in Jagodina in the first leg of a play-off for a place in next year’s European Under-21 Championships.
Morata has spoken at length to Marca with the interview focusing on international duty rather than his club, Juventus.
“It’s always a privilege to be here. It’s a reward to enjoy being here with your teammates,” he said, having missed the last round of internationals due to injury.
“I’ve been with many of the squad in the lower levels of the national team and to come back to them is always amazing.
“The injury was a blow. Not only because I missed the national team but because it’s always difficult when you get injured.
“You have to have your head in the right place and be strong to come back better but you can’t do anything about when that is.
“Now I’m almost 100% and I want to play.”
Morata was involved in the last play-off for the youth tournament two years ago and he recalled the experience.
“That was my first call to the Under-21s. I was in the stands for one of the games against Denmark,” he reflected.
“It’s something you learn and you have to continue working. A feature of the national team is that we are a team and we all help, those who play and those who don’t.
“Every player is important, even those who remain in the stands. Everyone has an important role for the national team and will continue to do so.
“For example, against Serbia, maybe someone comes off the bench to give us victory. Football is like that.
“Sometimes someone plays for 85 minutes and has a great match but then you go on for five minutes and score a goal.
“That’s football and here we’re all prepared and we will all give everything.”
Morata noted that the player who debuted with the Under-21s in 2012 is not the same player as today, having gained a great deal of experience in the intervening period.
“So much has changed in two years. I think I’m more complete as a player, calmer in my game,” he said.
“I think that’s down to the many changes in my life. I think that’s the main thing.”
