Some call it karma, others simply see it as a terrible coincidence, but once again, Real Madrid has paid (dearly) for the poor treatment shown to the players developed in their youth squad. Alvaro Morata, a player who came up in Madrid’s youth squads but who left the squad in 2014 due to lack of playing opportunities, scored 2 of the 3 goals that left Madrid out of the Champion’s League final. The second goal – the one that tied the score today at 1-1 – was crucial, as the 1-0 would have sent the Merengues to the European Final.
Morata arrived in Madrid at the age of sixteen and won a championship with the youth squad, but never consolidated himself in the first division.
Last July, the Spanish player signed a multi-million euro contract with Italian Squad Juventus – it was 20 million for his card, which is 5 million less than it would cost Madrid to keep Chicharito (2.5 for the loan and 22.5 if they decided to buy him from Manchester United).
This is not the first time an ex-Madridista is responsible for leaving their former squad out of the Champions League.
Eleven years ago, a Real Madrid squad filled with mega stars such as Zidane, Beckham, Figo, and Ronaldo (known as the Galacticos, in reference to all the “stars” on the team), seemed like shoo-ins for the semifinals. They had defeated Monaco in the first leg 4-2 ,and the “away” game at the Louis II stadium in Monaco seemed like a mere formality. At minute 34, Raúl scored for Madrid, seeming to seal the deal by putting the Spanish squad three goals ahead. But soccer is a wonderful thing and that night it lived up to its nickname of “The Beautiful Game.” Fernando Morientes, an ex Madrid player, went on to score the second of three goals and led Monaco to an incredible comeback. The 3-1 result meant disaster for the Galacticos, a team put in place by president Florentino Pérez in order to secure Madrid’s 10th European title.
Karma, the Morientes effect, the Morata effect, call it what you want, but perhaps Madrid can learn a lesson of gratitude from these experiences. Perhaps.
There is a clause in Morata’s contract with Juventus that states that Madrid can buy him back for 30 million, 10 more than what they sold him for.