Alvaro Morata has discussed the difficulties of being a homegrown player for Real Madrid during an interview with the Spanish radio program Onda Cero.

The Juventus striker left Madrid last summer after becoming frustrated with a lack of playing time in Spain and pointed a finger of blame at manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Morata gained 34 caps for Spain at the youth level, helping the national team win the 2013 European Under-21 Championship; and rose through Real Madrid’s youth ranks before joining the first team under the guidance of former manager, Jose Mourinho.

However, during Carlo Ancelotti’s first season in Madrid, the striker was relegated to the bench. Morata would eventually secure a move to Italian champions Juventus last summer.

During an interview with Onda Cero, the Spain international revealed his frustration at remaining on the bench without an explanation last season and hopes to now make the most of his call up to La Roja.

“I still don’t understand why I went from playing well to being left in the stands at Real Madrid,” Morata told Onda Cero. “I didn’t demand to be a starter, but I did expect to be treated differently.

“My relationship with Ancelotti was virtually non-existent. [Massimiliano] Allegri keeps a very close eye on me, for better or for worse.”

Morata then shared his opinion on former teammate Jese’s situation in Madrid. While the Juventus striker is confident the homegrown player can compete for a starting position under Ancelotti, he warned that the club is always looking to bring in quality from abroad.

“It’s tough competing with the BBC [Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo],” Morata added. “Jese can do well, but if there’s a forward shining abroad, Real Madrid will want to sign him.”

After a slow start to his Juventus career, Morata is now making his mark with the Italian champions – thus earning his call-up to the Spanish national team.

The fact that he was asked to join La Roja is exactly why the 21-year-old chose to leave Madrid.

“I appreciate the recognition from Spain now that I’ve left the country,” Morata concluded. “When one packs up from their homeland they mature in every way.

“When I left Madrid, one of my main aims was to get into the national team and some people thought I was crazy.

“Being here with the Spain squad is just unbelievable. In the past I was celebrating the success of La Roja and now I’m playing with them.

“I’ve been dreaming about scoring my first goal for my country but it’s not an obsession.”

Programming note: The Euro 2016 qualifier between Spain and Ukraine will be shown LIVE on Friday at 3:30pm on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.