Morata named new Spain captain

Experienced centre-forward Alvaro Morata has been named as Spain’s new captain, replacing Sergio Busquets, with the latter retiring from international duty following the 2022 World Cup.

New Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente made wholesale changes in his first squad selection since replacing Luis Enrique as head coach of the 2010 world champions.

Only 11 players have remained from the competition in Qatar, and one of those is Morata, who is comfortably the leading goalscorer in the squad with 30 goals for the national side.

The 30-year-old has now been named as Spain’s new captain ahead of their opening two Euro 2024 qualification matches against Norway and Scotland on March 25 and March 28 respectively.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, who has made 33 appearances for the national side, is the new vice-captain.

“I remember how [Andres] Iniesta and [Sergio] Ramos welcomed me. Now it’s our turn. I take the responsibility with great pride,” AS quotes Carvajal as saying when asked about the vice-captaincy.

Morata, meanwhile, said: “It’s incredible. I’ve been here with Dani since we were two kids. It’s a tremendous joy. Not to be captain, but to defend the shirt of my country.

“Our role now is to help the newcomers. There’s a fantastic group and we don’t need a lot of help, but that’s what it’s all about. If people need something they can count on us.”

Morata has made 35 appearances for Atletico Madrid in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 12 goals and contributing three assists in the process.

Luis Rubiales, who is the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has claimed that the striker’s conduct following the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup, which saw Spain go out in the round of 16, led to him being appointed as the new captain.

“Alvaro is the captain. Ramos was there recently, and Busquets too. There are gestures that are made that remain anonymous and after the World Cup, some players showed some great gestures,” he said.

“It’s up to you to investigate, you’re not going to get much out of Alvaro, that’s for sure. He was the one who led this.”