Alvaro Morata is “ready” to be Spain’s first-choice striker at Euro 2016 as he relishes the “great responsibility” on his shoulders.
Morata is one of two out-and-out strikers called up by Vicente del Bosque for the European Championship, and the Juventus man is keen to put speculation about his future behind him in search of a historic third triumph at his first major tournament.
“I feel very good. The discomfort has passed and I didn’t play in the last friendly so I could get better,” he said at a Press conference.
“If the Coach decides, I’ll be ready to play against the Czech Republic.
“I’m very calm. I’m at Juve and I feel at home, and the Euros are very important to me. It’ll be my first European Championship and it’s a dream to play in the Spanish national team.
“Many of the young lads here were champions [at the 2013 U21 Championship], and I think with the players who have spent more time here, we can have a good tournament.
“Besides youth, I think the team are enjoying themselves. The older heads are experiencing a different stage [in their careers] to ours and we make a great team.
“The atmosphere is great and we’re not thinking about being favourites or underdogs.
“In any major competition we’ve won, we started with a loss. We have to be focused.
“We’re in an era of the national team with very good strikers. Some didn’t come and I’m proud to be a striker for Spain.
“It’s a great responsibility, which generates a lot of pressure, and I’m ready to be Spain’s striker.
“[On copying Sergio Ramos’ shaven haircut], two years ago I cut my hair and started to score goals, him too.
“I’m superstitious and I hope things go well and that we can keep scoring goals.
“We’re at a European Championship and there are some very good teams. Anyone can win the tournament. There are many dangerous rivals, but certainly not all of them want to face Spain.”