Morata's wife hits back at critics on Spain captain

The wife of Spain captain Álvaro Morata has hit out at critics ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against France, saying he deserves much more respect in his home country.

"Everyone can say what they think, but he must not be offended," Alice Campello said on Instagram.

"How can a person give the maximum for his country if he has the feeling that people don't believe in him?"

Newspaper El Confidencial on the weekend named Morata "a captain who shames Spain not only because of his poor performances at the European Championship."

Atletico Madrid's Morata said last week he does not feel appreciated in his home country, and has now been linked with a move to AC Milan.

"The easiest thing for me is not to play in Spain. For my life, for what I have to experience when I take to the streets in our country," he said.

Morata played for Real Madrid 2010-2014 and arrived at Atlético in 2019 after spells at Juventus and Chelsea. He played again at Juve on loan 2020-2022. His Atletico contract is until 2026.