Fernando Morientes: one of the unfulfilled stories of football

Fernando Morientes was touted as one of the top strikers of his generation during his time at Real Madrid

It was the winter of 2004, English football’s landscape had just witnessed the arrival of the “The Special One” in the summer. Another manager from Europe had just taken over at Anfield and the turmoil was still in existence in the Reds camp.

A long-term injury sustained by Djibril Cisse had ruled him out for the rest of the season. Milan Baros the other striker was also having a fitful season marred with injuries. Out went Rafa Benitez striker shopping, and suddenly there was a rumour of a certain charismatic personality being available in the market. The name being “Fernando Morientes”.

Almost a decade has passed since this extraordinary personality walked out onto the hallowed pitch of Anfield, but there is still an air of romanticism whenever his name is mentioned.

Touted as one of the top strikers of his generation, his strike partnership with Raul was considered the most lethal in Europe. Considered one of the favourite sons of the Santiago Bernabeu, it was unfortunate that the administration at that point of time didn’t recognize the player’s hard work and effort.

A team player in a team of galacticos, he was given the same unceremonious treatment like that of Claude Makalele, both of whom were ushered out in order to buy bigger star names. While certain sections of the fans never warmed up to him, others loved him for his attitude and his care for the cause of the team.

Beginning his career at Albacete for whom he made his debut in the season of 93-94 which eventually earned him a move to Real Zaragoza. Some eye-catching performances over two seasons with them forced Real Madrid to purchase him, where his initial role was that of a backup striker to bigger names such as Davor Suker and Predrag Mijatovic. But such was his impact that he eventually ended up starting games rather than being a substitute.

“Moro”: The Outsider

Tracking his unceremonious and acrimonious exit from Real Madrid never fails to amaze me. For a player who outscored Raul at times and being an asset to the team, he could never make himself dear to the fans of Real Madrid. As illustrated by the nickname associated with him, he was called “Moro”, which literally translates as the Moor, the symbol of all things foreign in Spain.

The “aficion” who used to hail Guti and Raul, never took Morientes to heart, regardless of the consistency while providing stellar displays. His performances only merited a footnote when it came to Raul.

Although the fans' overwhelming support for Raul existed at unmatched levels, as a teammate Raul was a relentless supporter of Morientes. Such was the relationship, that Raul was one of the witnesses who were there to bless Morientes’s marriage.

The duo shared a close professional and personal relationship, and it showed in their game as well. The telepathic connection which they both exhibited, picking out each other and anticipating movements of each other was a sight to behold.

Very few strike partnerships were that clinical as Raul and Morientes. Further support from Raul can be seen in the incident of Raul wearing the jersey number no. 9 in the 2002 European Super Cup to show solidarity.

And tracing his exit, can be somewhat be attributed to the fact that while on loan with Monaco from Real Madrid, in the season of 2003-04, he audaciously scored over both legs against Madrid who were the quarter finalists themselves.

Eventually, Monaco as a team knocked out Real Madrid. The professionalism that he exhibited over that season, especially when faced with his employer endeared him to the Monaco fans, but from the Madridistas point of view, it was an act of a double agent. Looking back, it was more to do with the arrogance of the then Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez.

One of the highlights of his Madrid career was the goal he scored in the 1999-2000 season, in the all-Spanish Champions League Final against Valencia. From that to an exit which involved him being hawked around to other clubs without consent was the final insult that he could take.

His love for the white jersey was evident as he tried time and again to force into the side, but the rejection door was already slammed and ensuing purchases of Michael Owen in the summer of 2004, confirmed what was already known.

Time at Anfield

Morientes found the physicality of the Premier League too overwhelming

Arriving at Anfield with much fanfare involved, it was a sign of Liverpool’s ambition to pursue world class talent. The striker though in a spell of 16 months was a shadow of the prolific striker that Liverpool fans had seen over the years. His unquestioned work ethic was there, but the English game where football is much more direct in nature; his playing style didn’t seem to suit it. The excitement though surrounding his arrival can be best captured by Steven Gerrard’s words:

“"It's exactly the kind of signing we need. If you ask any of the fans about the calibre of player they want us to be bringing to the club, he would be it. I feel the same way. You know you're not taking a risk. It's good from a symbolic point of view that we've signed someone who's so renowned as a world-class player. I just hope, after all the success he's had and trophies he's won, he's as hungry to do the same for us."

Morientes in turn appreciated the faith shown in him by uttering various niceties about the club and how its history had inspired him to join the club. But words were not complemented by actions, as Morientes soon discovered much to his chagrin.

The physicality of the game overwhelmed him from displaying any sort of control. The coinage of the phrase “A fish out of water” could literally be applied to him as Morientes found the league a bit out of its depth.

Summing up his performances, which were captured by Barney Ronay of the Guardian, “Signed on a unique pay-as-you-sulk contract, the former Liverpool striker Morientes was technically classified as a spectator. Despite wearing club colours and even sometimes wandering into active areas of the pitch, any appearance by Morientes would be added to the official attendance. Hence the phrase "the crowd was our 11th man today"." Chris Bacombe of Liverpool Echo was much harsher as he compared Morientes to bird flu, lethal in other countries but no sign of it in Britain.

All said and done, Morientes did had some good moments specially the towering header against Fulham or the left footed arrowed finish for his debut goal against Charlton Athletic, both of them such wonderful exhibits of lethal and classy finishing.

One of the top most strikers in Europe, it is hard to fathom why his career never took off in English Football. No accusations of arrogance can also be levelled against him, as illustrated by him. No sign of disrespect either, instead ahead of the Millennium Cup final against Chelsea, he was quoted as saying how it was a privilege representing Liverpool FC.

His time at Liverpool can be best summed up in his own words” “I didn't like the physical nature of the game in England or the referees who let more things go, and who blow for fewer fouls than they do here [in Spain]. A striker isn't protected from rival defences there, and they gave me a really hard time.

"But whenever he scored for Liverpool he tended to do so in braces, but then those moments were so far and between, that they hardly carried any significance. For a striker who had averaged 1.73 goals per game before arriving at Liverpool, his returns of 12 goals over 61 appearances can only be termed as nightmarish.

Viva Espana

Even though his club career petered out towards the end, as it does eventually for most footballers, the charisma that was associated with him never disappeared. The cruelty of sport is that not every sports-person is afforded a glorious farewell.

A look across sport indicates that and the realization of an athlete that one fine day can be disturbing. Some fail to accept it, some just shrug it off and get on with life. Mental support at that time is what matters more than anything.

Morientes seemed to have regained his golden touch when he once again moved back to his native country Spain, as he rediscovered his lethal finishing. His three seasons on his return to Spain yielded 33 goals over a period of around 97 games.

One of the highlights of his career though was his time with the Spanish national side and his partnership with Raul. A prolific scorer who scored around 27 times over 47 appearances.

Debuting in 1998, he represented Spain at the FIFA World Cups 1998 and 2002, and was the scorer of the controversial goal which was disallowed against South Korea. On an individual level, his performances were always in consonance with that of the team, but Lady Luck never seemed to shine on the Spanish National side back then, as they unceremoniously exited tournaments.

Recent Developments

Tired of injuries and the fast evolving styles of game-play, Morientes announced his retirement in 2010, once he was released by Marseille. Recently, though he has been in the news when Rafa Benitez, the newly appointed coach of Real Madrid has touted him as a possible assistant coach.

His stint in commentary though is leading to some apprehensions, because of the sensitivity that surrounds Real Madrid. His past histories or rather clashes with authoritative figures such as Vicente Del Bosque and Jorge Valdavano have also cropped up.

A player from an era who deserved more than what he got, Morientes will always remain the unfulfilled stories of football. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, words in his book, Love in the Time of Cholera maybe sums up what Morientes was all about.

“He was still too young to know that the heart's memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good, and that thanks to this artifice we manage to endure the burden of the past.”