Jose Mourinho takes credit for Spain win over England with cheeky claim – and Alvaro Morata responds
Spain owe a big thanks to Jose Mourinho for winning Euro 2024, according to the man himself.
Captaining Spain to success was Atletico Madrid star Morata, who has scored 36 times in 80 caps for Spain and has now won Euro 2024 and the Nations League in 2023 for his country.
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The 31-year-old has had a long career across several top clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and Atletico Madrid - but Mourinho, who has an illustrious string of clubs on his CV himself, joked he owes his career to him in a cheeky post on social media.
Taking to Instagram, the now Fenerbahce boss posted a picture of him when he was in charge of Real Madrid giving Morata his debut, as well as fellow Spain international Nacho.
Captioning the post, Mourinho, who has managed Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Roma, Real Madrid and now Fenerbahce, said: "2024/Champions League winner captain Nacho Fernandez/European Champion winner captain Alvaro Morata.
"Many congratulations to them and to the coach who gave them their debut when they were just kids in the Academy.
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"Same coach who did not understand that Dani Carvajal was another one…
"Many congratulations to Mister De La Fuente for an amazing job. Best team won!"
Mourinho coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, around the same time Morata was coming up through the academy before the Portuguese coach gave him his debut in December 2010 after promoting him from Real Madrid B.
Mourinho's post might have been somewhat tongue-in-cheek but Morata still replied earnestly, saying 'Gracias' in the comments.
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Spain claimed Euro 2024 glory with a dramatic last-gasp winner against England in Berlin on Sunday night with Mikel Oyarzabal netting in the 86th minute.
Nico Williams had put Luis de la Fuente's men ahead moments into the second half before Cole Palmer's delightful record-breaking equaliser gave England hope.
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But it is Spain's name engraved on the Henri Delaunay Cup this summer, the fourth time they have won the tournament, doing so in record-breaking fashion by winning every game they played.
Meanwhile, Morata was close to quitting the national team before the European Championship got underway in Germany.
However, former Spain stars Andres Iniesta and Bojan convinced him to stick it out after a tough season with Atletico where he has been heavily criticised despite scoring 21 times last campaign.
"I would like to send my regards to Andres Iniesta, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have played in this Euros, and for Bojan too," Morata said.
"For my family, but also for Andres and Bojan who are largely to blame for me being at the Euros.
"I already knew them as players, Andres as a person as well, but they are people who give you life, I remember them now, there is always light at the end of everything.";
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