Alvaro Morata has revealed two former players helped him captain Spain to Euro 2024 glory after media criticism.
Luis de la Fuente's men won the European Championship on Sunday after beating England 2-1 thanks to a late strike by Mikel Oyarzabal.
Morata, who captained his country in Germany this summer, previously admitted it would be 'easiest' for him to move abroad because of the poor treatment and laid bare the effect on his family, including his wife and four young children.
He also floated the idea of leaving Atletico Madrid just a week on from seemingly pledging his future to the club, raging that 'in Spain, there's no respect for anyone'.
The 31-year-old has thanked two former Spanish internationals, insisting he would not have participated at Euro 2024 if it were not for them.
'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.'
Iniesta previously revealed that he suffered with depression heading into the 2010 World Cup which Spain went on to win.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona and Stoke City forward Bojan refused to participate in a European Championship due to anxiety.
Morata also thanked Giorgio Chiellini, who helped Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final, for his encouraging words before Sunday's match.
Morata said to Chiellini on live TV: 'Before the game, Chiellini told me to go and lift the cup.
'I wanted to ask you [Chiellini] how much it [the trophy] weighs, but out of superstition, I didn't,' he continued.
'I am happy you brought the cup. You know you've always been an example as a footballer and especially as a man. You know I am grateful for the way you've always treated me. You are a person I admire.'
The striker, who played for Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea before joining Atletico, initially on loan in 2019, has endured a tense relationship with Spanish supporters.
He had been whistled during Spain's campaign at Euro 2020 and notably jeered throughout a friendly against Brazil at the Bernabeu in March.
Morata future at club level has been a hot topic recently amid links to AC Milan.
Asked whether he will join Milan this summer, he said: ‘I don’t know, let’s see.’