Álvaro Morata’s presentation at the Estadio Butarque was meant to end with a keepy-up routine for the fans. The ball had other ideas.

The 33-year-old striker, unveiled on Friday after Segunda División side Leganés confirmed the season-long loan from Como 1907 with an option to buy, took a football onto the pitch and started well enough. An early around-the-world flick came off cleanly. The next attempt spun off his shin. He tried again, managed two around-the-worlds, then the ball stuck to his heel and dropped. The clip was picked up within minutes and became one of the most-shared football moments of the weekend.

“The best place I could be”

The words Morata delivered at the unveiling did not match the mood of the clip.

“I came here because of the club’s ambition, the project, and because it’s the best place I could be,” he said at the presentation.

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Asked why a former European champion was signing for a second-tier club, Morata pointed away from the calendar.

“It was an easy decision. In life, it’s not all about playing in the Champions League or winning trophies,” he told reporters, in comments carried by Yahoo Sports.

A quiet year at Como

The move follows a difficult year in Italy. Morata joined Como last summer under Cesc Fàbregas, but managed only one goal in 30 appearances and slid down the pecking order.

The Leganés loan runs to the end of the 2026-27 season.

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Rubén Albés, appointed head coach for the 2026-27 season, inherits a squad chasing promotion.

Away to Las Palmas on Friday

Leganés travel to face UD Las Palmas on Friday 4 September, with kick-off at 8:30pm local time at the Estadio Gran Canaria.

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