Morata joins Leganés: “I am from Madrid and I wanted to come home”

Álvaro Morata is officially a Leganés player. The Madrid-born striker was presented on Friday at Butarque after completing his move until the end of the season, on loan from Como with an option to buy that the club could exercise in the summer. At 32, the Spanish international says he needs to find himself again as a footballer and that Leganés has offered him the opportunity he was looking for.

• Morata joins Leganés on loan from Como until June, with an option to buy at the end of the season.
• The striker says feeling good and returning to Madrid matters more than playing Champions League football or winning trophies.
• He admits recent years have been difficult on a personal and professional level and that Leganés makes him feel like he is starting over at a first club.
• Sporting director Andrés Pardo highlights the courage of choosing the Leganés offer over the others on the table.
• Morata will wear the number 21 and already sees the team as a candidate for promotion to La Liga.

Why Morata chose Leganés over Champions League football

After spells at clubs such as Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus, Morata arrives at Butarque with a message that moves away from the glamour of elite competitions. During his presentation he delivered one of the headlines of the day: “It is not all about playing in the Champions League or winning trophies. I am from Madrid and I wanted to come home.” The quote sums up the moment of a striker who admits he has been fighting against himself in recent years.

The new Leganés forward insisted that trust and environment were decisive. “I have received a lot of affection, which for me is the most important thing, and in the end I go where I feel good,” he explained. Leganés convinced him because the club believes in him and because he believes in a project built around returning to the top flight.

How Morata left Como

Before accepting Leganés' proposal, Morata spoke with Cesc Fàbregas, his coach at Como. During that conversation he understood he would not be a key part of the Italian project and decided to start looking for a new destination. The exit was resolved with a loan that keeps him contracted to the Lombardy club, while leaving the door open for a permanent purchase by the Madrid side.

Andrés Pardo, Leganés' sporting director, joked that he is already “saving up” in case the purchase option becomes a reality. He also praised the player's willingness to pick Leganés despite receiving offers with greater financial and sporting weight.

Morata and his emotional bond with Butarque

I always carry responsibility. Leganés has to be among the candidates for promotion to La Liga. Pressure helps you, and tomorrow's match is crucial. Every point counts and I am ready.

The presentation had a deeply personal side. Accompanied by his wife Alice Campello, his four children and his father, Morata broke down in tears while recalling that his first live match was at Butarque, an Atlético de Madrid against Leganés in which he worked as a ball boy. “That is where it all started,” he said, visibly emotional.

That connection with the city and the stadium reinforces the idea that his signing is about more than just sport. Morata knows that Leganés fans will demand from him from the very first minute and that the pressure of fighting for promotion is welcome, because it helps him compete.

What Morata brings to Leganés' attack

Despite the labels that have followed him throughout his career, Morata said he arrives “flying” physically and ready to compete straight away. His goal is to help the club achieve its objectives in La Liga Hypermotion, a division he described as “very demanding” and where every point can make the difference.

The Madrid striker will wear the number 21 and has made himself available for the next match, which he called crucial. His intention is clear: to stay at Leganés beyond this season and help bring the excitement of promotion back to the fans.

How Leganés fans welcomed Morata

After speaking to the media, Morata got changed and walked onto the Butarque pitch to greet the hundreds of supporters who attended the presentation. The atmosphere reflected the excitement generated by a signing that is rare for a second-division club: a European champion returning to his home city to reconnect with football.

Morata admitted he has avoided checking his messages since the move was confirmed and that he even fears facing some unpleasant situations at certain stadiums this season. Still, his commitment is firm: “I will give everything to meet the objectives.”