In the wake of Spain’s heartbreaking defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on June 8, 2025, Spanish captain Alvaro Morata has faced a barrage of hateful messages and death threats following a missed penalty in the decisive shootout. His wife, Alice Campello, took to social media to fiercely denounce the trolls, sharing the shocking threats directed at Morata and their family, highlighting the unacceptable toxicity that sometimes overshadows the beautiful game.
The thrilling final in Munich ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time, with goals from Spain’s Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal matched by Portugal’s Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Morata, substituted into the game during extra time specifically for such a moment, saw his spot-kick saved by Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Portugal ultimately clinched the title 5-3, with Ruben Neves scoring the decisive penalty. The miss proved costly, and Morata, the 32-year-old Galatasaray forward on loan from AC Milan, became the target of intense online vitriol.
Alice Campello, an Italian model and entrepreneur, shared disturbing messages on Instagram, including one that chillingly read, “I’ll kill your husband if I see him on the street; he better watch his back. I won’t leave him alone for a single moment. I’ll kill the children with my own hands too.” In a heartfelt response, Campello expressed disbelief at the severity of the abuse, stating, “Do we realise we’re talking about a football match?” She emphasized the need for perspective, noting that football is a sport meant for entertainment, not a justification for such hateful behavior. “Everyone makes mistakes; no one is exempt,” she wrote, defending her husband’s character and resilience. “What truly matters is the kind of person you are, and in that, you outshine everyone.”
This is not the first time Morata and his family have faced such hostility. In 2021, during the Euro 2020 tournament, Campello revealed similar death threats directed at her, Morata, and their children following his penalty miss against Italy in the semi-finals. The recurrence of such abuse underscores the ongoing challenge of combating online harassment in football, particularly when high-stakes moments amplify emotions among fans.
Despite the negativity, Campello highlighted that many fans have shown support, sending messages of encouragement to Morata, who has been a key figure for Spain, leading them to the Euro 2024 title as captain. Spanish TV show “La familia de la tele” reported on the threats, with contributors like Belén Esteban condemning the abuse as “extremely shameful.” Morata himself addressed the situation with restraint, telling journalist Javi de Hoyos, “It’s nothing like what I’ve been experiencing for many years. I don’t feel like talking, honestly.”
The emotional toll of the miss was evident as Morata hinted at retiring from international football. Speaking to Diario AS, he said, “I feel bad for my teammates, but it’s part of life. The penalty? I didn’t take it well, I could have done better, but there’s nothing I can do now.” On the possibility of stepping away from the national team, he added, “It’s possible, I won’t be back in September.” Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, stood by his captain, praising Morata’s courage for taking the penalty and calling him “a champion and a role model.”
Morata’s career has been marked by resilience, with 37 goals in 86 appearances for Spain, placing him among the nation’s top scorers. His current stint at Galatasaray, where he has scored six goals in 15 matches, follows a decorated career with clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid. Campello’s defense of her husband comes after the couple reconciled in January 2025 following a five-month separation, a period that included reported tensions over family arrangements after Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.