Behind the rise of Álvaro Morata, the Athletic and captain of the Spanish squad, lies a layered journey woven by a coach who trusted the power of steady growth. The word Morata carries a safety net built from his versatility, ready to ignite at moments when opportunity arrives. A piece from a Spanish newspaper traces his roots to Adrià Carmona, a former pro who grew up in Igualada in 1992, and who rose with the Prensa Ibérica family. This youngster, born into Barcelona’s circle, benefited from guidance that helped him mature. A striker who soon became one of Europe’s fittest and a scorer of ten goals in ten games, his path shines with disciplined development and strategic support.
“There is a lot of talk about his impressive moment as a footballer. But it’s essential to acknowledge who he is off the pitch as well”, Carmona says, presenting himself as a professional who carries the depth his experiences have given him. Carmona retired in September 2022 at thirty, after a full career that included time at La Masia and appearances with Milan, Real Zaragoza, Girona, Espanyol, B, Albacete, CD Lugo, and ventures in India and at L’Hospitalet. He also led Spain to the European Under-17 title in 2008.
Lamine Yamal and the care of young talents
Injuries and fatigue pushed Morata away from the field. “I was grieving. I faced tough times professionally and personally before stepping away. From reaching the top to playing on less prestigious stages, the game kept testing him. He isn’t just a professional; he continues to adapt. The world of football has its own pull, but it wasn’t easy to swallow”, Carmona confesses.
His reconciliation with the ball came through coaching, a path that gave him education and steered his interest toward a sport that had always been a constant. “I realized I had experienced it all—being the favorite of the Barca youth system to enduring relegation. There are injuries and many factors that shape a player’s mindset”, he recalls.
Carmona spotted a flaw in the professional setup and began addressing it through study, first personally, then publicly. “We lacked tools for the most important task: how to channel emotions naturally.” The work expanded beyond Álvaro Morata, encompassing physical and remote guidance for players like Sergi Roberto, Marc Muniesa, Arthur Melo, and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, among others.
He also guided rising stars during regular training sessions, including a young Lamine Yamal. “The world moves quickly. In this whirlwind, players like Lamine emerge. I hope everything goes smoothly, but we must stay careful. Xavi is giving him a solid foundation.” It’s clear that Yamal will leave a mark on a generation, even as he remains just sixteen. Carmona notes, “This won’t be the last challenge, and it won’t be the first—that’s life in football.”