Michel on Morata: When you're at Real Madrid, it's best not to leave Spain Coach discussed his absence from World Cup

The absence of Alvaro Morata was one of the major headlines after Julen Lopetegui announced the Spain squad to travel to Russia for the World Cup, but it was not a shock for former Real Madrid midfielder Michel.

Morata was previously at Real Madrid until he made the move to London a year ago, which Michel struggled to understand.

"I don't know why he left, if it was because he wanted to play more, if it was because he wanted a better contract and because he wanted to play in the English league," he pondered.

"At the end of the day he is in a similar situation as to when he was at Real Madrid, he will know personally why he took the decision.

"I'm of those who think that if you're at Real Madrid the best thing is to not leave but I don't know what his think is."

The coach, most recently in charge of Malaga, believes that Morata's move to Chelsea has not helped his chances.

"He's playing less at Chelsea, [Olivier] Giroud is playing more," he pointed out at the fifth charity golf tournament run by the Real Madrid Ex-Players Association.

"The most informed one on this is the coach and he knows exactly why he took one decision of another. He's a good player but any of them are too.

"It's a sensitive decision, if you made a list of 50 then number 51 and 52 would miss out too, you have to accept it, respect it and support it."

The former Sevilla and Getafe boss also reflected on the Champions League final in Kiev on Saturday night as his former club Real Madrid face up against Liverpool.

"It's not a question of predictions, it's a question of history," he said.

"You have to respect the opponent because they're good and I think they have a lot of merit, but whoever they are, in the final and in the moment, Real Madrid are always the favourites."

The 55-year-old was also keen to pay tribute to Xabi Prieto, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta after the trio all made their final LaLiga appearances this weekend.

"To me the three of them are examples of normal footballers, footballers who produce everything on the pitch and not off it," Michel explained.

"It wasn't only an exemplary farewell as players, but also as people and that does a lot of good for football and the players."

Finally, the former Spanish international reflected on his time with Malaga, where he spent 9 months before the side were relegated after he left mid-season.

"It's difficult to talk about a situation when you're no longer there," reflected Michel.

"The only thing I wish them is that they get promoted to the first division as soon as possible for the city, the club and the people who work there, they don't deserve to be in Segunda Division."

Michel has been out of work since leaving Malaga in January.