Atletico Madrid captain Koke spoke about the transfer of striker Alvaro Morata to AC Milan.
"First of all, I have to thank him for the work he has done over the years. It is a pity that he left because we had a very good and very close relationship since childhood.
He had some very difficult moments here at Atletico and in the national team, and I think also in Italy, because in the end everything affects us. Here in Spain, he suffered a lot. We went to lunch together, and several people on the way told him everything they thought about him. It's unfortunate, but it's a reality, it's a price we often have to pay.
We talked almost every day, I wanted to cheer him up. We had already had many conversations when I was in the national team about the dream of winning the title, and I told him to keep going, that there was not much time left and I was sure he would lift the trophy," Marca quoted Koke as saying.