spanish football player

Villa and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez. In this spanish name, the foremost or agnate surname isand the second or maternal family name is David Villa Sánchez ( spanish pronunciation : [ daˈβið ˈbiʎa santʃeθ ] ; born 3 December 1981 ) is a spanish retire professional football player who played as a hitter. Villa is regarded by pundits as one of the best forwards of his generation, and one of the best spanish strikers of all meter. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] David is presently working as the Technical Advisor and Head of Global Football Operations of the indian Super League cabaret Odisha FC. [ 7 ]

Reading: David Villa

Nicknamed El Guaje ( The Kid in Asturian ) due to a reputation of playing football with children much older than him, [ 8 ] [ 9 ] Villa sustained a unplayful injury as a child but managed to start his master career with Sporting de Gijón in 2001. He moved to Real Zaragoza after two seasons, where he made his La Liga introduction, and won the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España. He joined Valencia in 2005 for a transfer fee of €12 million and captured another Copa del Rey title. At age 28, Villa registered 28 league goals and garnered a move to Barcelona for €40 million in 2010, where he won his first La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, and scored in the 2011 final. He left the club in 2013 after concluding a €5.1 million transplant to Atlético Madrid, where he won another La Liga title. After a single season in the spanish das kapital, Villa departed to join new MLS franchise New York City, where he became the club ‘s read goalscorer and appearance maker, winning the MLS MVP Award for best player in 2016. [ 10 ] In 2018, Villa announced his passing from New York, to join Vissel Kobe in Japan. [ 11 ] villa made his international introduction for Spain in 2005. He participated in four major tournaments, and was an built-in extremity of the Spain teams that won UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. He scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup, was the acme scorekeeper at Euro 2008, and earned the Silver Boot at the 2010 World Cup. His displays for Spain and Valencia saw him named in the FIFA FIFPro World11 for 2010. He became the beginning spanish player to ever reach 50 external goals and, after a brief rejoinder in 2017, [ 12 ] he retired from the home team with 59 goals in 98 matches, making him Spain ‘s all-time top goalscorer ampere well as the country ‘s top scorer in the World Cup, with nine goals. [ 13 ] [ 14 ]

childhood and early career

villa was born in Tuilla, a small parish in Langreo, Asturias, a area in northerly Spain, the son of José Manuel Villa, a miner. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] When Villa was four, his chances of becoming a football player were put in hazard when he suffered a fracture to the femur in his right leg, but he made a complete convalescence. [ 17 ] ascribable to the injury, he and his father worked on strengthening his left leg and Villa ultimately became ambidextrous. [ 18 ] He recalls his forefather being systematically supportive : “ He would be there throwing me the ball over and over, making me kick it with my leave leg when my right was in plaster after breaking it, I was four. I can scantily remember a single train seance when my dad was n’t there. I have never been alone on a football pitch. ” [ 19 ] ». Villa admitted that he came close up to giving up football at the age of 14 after growing disillusioned and falling out with his coach. however, thanks to his parents ‘ boost, he persisted in pursuing his dream, realising his endowment could earn him a support. [ 15 ] “ In those days I was a cipher, not earning a penny and after being made to sit on the bench all season I merely wanted to get aside and play with my friends ” he said. “ But my dad constantly supported me and cheered me up until my career turned round of golf. ” [ 15 ] [ 20 ] He went on to begin his footballing career at UP Langreo and when he turned 17 he joined the Mareo football school. [ 18 ]

Club career

Sporting Gijón

villa attracted interest from many Asturian teams, but one of the state ‘s bigger teams, Real Oviedo, declared that he was excessively short and that they did not believe he had sufficient potential. [ 21 ] [ 22 ] He subsequently got his professional breakthrough at his local baseball club Sporting de Gijón, following in the footsteps of his childhood idol Quini. [ 18 ] Starting out at the team ‘s youth ranks, he made his first-team introduction in the 2000–01 season. After scoring 25 goals in two seasons, he became a beginning team regular. [ 22 ] Pepe Acebal, Sporting ‘s coach at the fourth dimension, said that Villa initially lacked the stamina to have a real impact and had to be given his chance bite by bit and that Villa ‘s capacity for solve was “ matchless ”. [ 21 ]

“ He had great technical qualities. His first touch was superb and, although you can never be certain person will make it, you could tell he was talented. He makes very apt diagonal runs, breaking away from defenders, and he constantly made the veracious decisions. He is identical intuitive. ”

–Pepe Acebal, early Sporting Gijón coach [ 21 ]

real number Zaragoza

2003–04 season

With his goal count closely reaching 40 goals after spending two wax seasons in Sporting ‘s chief team, [ 23 ] Villa got his chance in Spain ‘s top-flight when Sporting were in fiscal difficulty – newly promoted real Zaragoza signed him for approximately €3 million in the summer of 2003. [ 20 ] [ 22 ] The hitter had no trouble adapting to playing at the higher level, netting 17 times in his first season at Zaragoza. [ 24 ] His league debut came during Zaragoza ‘s first La Liga game since his arrival, where the team were defeated 1–0 away by galician side Deportivo de La Coruña [ 25 ] while his first finish came two games late, an eighth-minute goal against Real Murcia which put Zaragoza 2–0 up in a peer which ended 3–0. [ 26 ] 4 December 2003 saw him net his inaugural brace ( two goals ) in a 2–2 draw against Athletic Bilbao [ 27 ] and on 25 April 2004, he scored his first hat-trick in a nasty 4–4 draw against Sevilla which saw Villa score all four of Zaragoza ‘s goals, putting his team ahead on two occasions. [ 28 ] Zaragoza reached the 2004 Copa del Rey final where he played a boastfully separate in the team ‘s victory, scoring a crucial goal to put the Aragonese outfit 2–1 up against Real Madrid in a match which finally ended 3–2. soon after, he earned his first international call-up and hood, which resulted in Zaragoza fans becoming therefore proud of his achievements that they invented the football chant “ illa illa illa, Villa maravilla “, a play on the words “ Villa ” and “ maravilla “, the latter which translates to “ marvel ” but can besides mean “ fantastic ” or “ great ” in that context. [ 18 ]

2004–05 temper

After Zaragoza ‘s prevail in the Copa del Rey, they were granted a place in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup ; this was Villa ‘s beginning time play in a european contest. [ 29 ] In the team ‘s opening group game, against Utrecht, Villa netted a stimulate in the dying minutes of the game, which ended 2–0 in Zaragoza ‘s privilege. In the round of 16, Zaragoza faced Austria Wien. The first leg ended 1–1, while Villa scored in the second leg in an eventual 2–2 draw ; Austria Wien progressed on the away goals rule. [ 30 ] meanwhile, in La Liga, Villa excited Zaragoza fans on 23 September 2004 by putting the team 1–0 improving against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, although Barcelona came back to win the game 4–1. [ 31 ] On 17 April 2005, Villa scored a brace which helped see off Sevilla in a 3–0 victory. [ 32 ]

valencia

2005–06 season

After his success at Zaragoza, the team was in need of money, [ 20 ] as a leave, Villa made his boastful move to one of spanish football ‘s heavyweights, as a new look Valencia under Quique Sánchez Flores parted with €12 million to secure his services in the summer of 2005. [ 23 ] During his first game in a Valencia shirt, an Intertoto Cup match against belgian outfit Gent, Villa scored the beginning goal in a game which Valencia won 2–0. [ 33 ] He made his league debut for Valencia coming on as a ersatz against Real Betis in a 1–0 winnings on 27 August 2005. [ 34 ] The future match would see his previous team, Zaragoza, leading 2–1 for the majority of the catch ; however, on the 81st infinitesimal, Villa came on as a late stand-in for Rubén Baraja and scored the equalizer within the quad of a minute, earning Valencia a compass point in a 2–2 draw. [ 35 ] On 21 September, Villa would once again save Valencia a vital point by netting a pair against Barcelona at Camp Nou, actually giving his team the lead at one point after Víctor Valdés ‘ clearance rebounded off Villa ‘s back and into the net. [ 36 ] [ 37 ] On 23 October, Villa scored the winning finish against another spanish giant, this clock real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, [ 38 ] and would once again score against Barcelona on 12 February 2006, his one-goal rise enough to secure all three points in a 1–0 victory. [ 39 ] Villa scored a goal against Deportivo La Coruña at the Riazor on 4 February 2006, subsequently described as “ brilliant ” by ESPN and “ his best ” by Sid Lowe, who went on to accredit it even more pointing out he achieved it “ on the turn ”. [ 21 ] Hitting the musket ball from the halfway line ( 50 yards out ) it sailed over the keepers head and into the net. [ 40 ] villa scored his first hat-trick for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in La Liga on 23 April 2006. He managed the hat-trick in precisely over five minutes ( 80th to the 85th minute ), making it one of the quickest hat-tricks always recorded. Valencia won that game 3–0. [ 15 ] That season saw him score 25 goals in 35 league matches for Valencia, [ 24 ] [ 41 ] finishing one finish behind the league ‘s top scorer Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona. Villa ‘s goal reckoning that year was the best that any Valencia player had ever achieved since Edmundo Suárez over 60 years prior. [ 42 ]

2006–07 season

Villa ‘s form continued into the 2006–07 temper, with the striker forming a partnership up front with early Real Madrid star Fernando Morientes. Between them, Villa and Morientes netted 43 goals in all competitions. [ 24 ] That class besides saw Villa debut in the UEFA Champions League ; his beginning match was a passing match, coming on as a late utility in a 1–0 first base branch loss against Red Bull Salzburg. He went on to start the second leg and scored in a 3–0 win which saw Valencia qualify for the Champions League group stages. [ 43 ] crucial goals against Roma [ 44 ] and Shakhtar Donetsk [ 45 ] helped Valencia qualify for the knockout stages, where they faced Inter Milan. Villa scored a free-kick goal in the foremost peg away from home, while one of Inter ‘s defenders complained that Villa had “ made us look like idiots, all on his own ”. [ 21 ] [ 46 ] Valencia went through to the quarter-finals, where they faced Chelsea. Villa featured in both games but failed to make the score sheet as Valencia were knocked out by the London team 3–2 on sum. [ 47 ] In October 2006, he was included among the 50 nominees for the Ballon d’Or ( much referred to as the European Footballer of the Year Award ). [ 48 ] A crucial goal against Espanyol [ 49 ] and a brace against Sevilla [ 50 ] helped him reach 16 goals that season and would see him come sixth in La Liga ‘s top scorekeeper list that temper ( scoring the same act of goals as chap international Raúl Tamudo ) [ 51 ] while he created more assists than anyone. [ 21 ]

2007–08 season

villa after scoring a penalty against Sevilla The 2007–08 season was not easy for Villa nor for his teammates. early in the temper, their director, Quique Sánchez Flores, was fired and replaced by Ronald Koeman, who ended up being fired on 22 April, after a run of poor results, even though he managed to win a trophy with Valencia after the team defeated Getafe in the Copa del Rey -final. Koeman was replaced by highly rated Almería coach Unai Emery at the end of the season. [ 52 ] Under Koeman, Villa managed to see the back of the net 18 times in his 26 appearances. [ 18 ] [ 24 ] He besides won the first professional trophy of his Valencia spell, winning the Copa del Rey for the second time in his career, beating Barcelona 3–2 in the semi-finals and then Getafe 3–1 in the final. [ 53 ] ensuring the team ‘s place for the following season ‘s UEFA Cup. [ 18 ] By the end of the season, he signed a new six-year contract with Valencia, committing his future to the club until 2014. [ 54 ] That season, Villa once again saw himself playing Champions League football. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 succeed against Schalke 04 [ 55 ] and went on to put Valencia 1–0 up against Chelsea, although goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba saw Valencia lose 2–1. [ 56 ] Valencia finished bottom of the group and were knocked out. On his 100th league appearance for Valencia, Villa scored a hat-trick against Levante ; his 54th, 55th and 56th league goals for the cabaret. [ 57 ] Another two goals on the final day of the season against Atlético Madrid completed his count of 18 goals that season. [ 24 ]

2008–09 season

After finishing as the circus tent scorekeeper at Euro 2008, Villa continued his form into the 2008–09 season, where he scored the inaugural goal in a 3–0 win against Mallorca in what was the open game of the season. [ 58 ] After failing to sign the musician, Real Madrid ‘s coach at the time, Bernd Schuster, accused Villa of having “ no ambition ”, [ 20 ] whereupon Villa responded by saying, “ Footballing ambition is not about your mouth, it is about your feet. You can accuse me of lots of things – of having a badly day, of missing chances, of many things – but I have always had ambition and constantly will have. I think I have proved that on the pitch with Zaragoza, Sporting, UD Langreo, and the national team. ” [ 20 ] In October 2008, Kaká praised Villa : talk to Canal+, he claimed that Villa is “ the best spanish football player ” adding that, “ The actor with whom I would most like to play is David Villa of Valencia. ” [ 59 ] On 2 December 2008, Villa came seventh in the 2008 Ballon d’Or rankings [ 60 ] and on 12 January 2009, he was announced as the joint ninth-best player of 2008 alongside international teammate Andrés Iniesta of Barcelona, according to the 2008 FIFA World Player of the year awards. [ 61 ]

“ David is an amaze musician – he has mobility, he scores goals and is audacious. I would love to have him in my team at Arsenal. He ‘d be amazing in the English league. ”

–Spain team-mate Cesc Fàbregas on David Villa [ 62 ]
Valencia finished second in their UEFA Cup group, although Villa was not featured heavily and was often an unused or late-match ersatz. [ 63 ] He scored a late winner against Marítimo [ 64 ] and was used in the Round of 32 against Dynamo Kyiv, though he did not make the score plane. The two legs finished in a 3–3 aggregate score, with Dynamo progressing through the away goals predominate. [ 65 ] Hitting a coherent goalscoring form during mid-season, Villa scored against Deportivo La Coruña, although he was sent off during the catch after his irregular scandalmongering menu, received due to a foul on Daniel Aranzubia ; [ 66 ] as a leave, he missed Valencia ‘s following match against Real Valladolid, a game Valencia lost 2–1 at home. fix to return from suspension, Villa suffered from an ignition in the joint in his exit stifle due to a partial dislocation and would be ruled out for the following 15 days, missing games against Numancia, Recreativo de Huelva and Racing de Santander. [ 67 ] When he finally returned from wound on 5 April 2009, he had no fuss recovering form, netting a brace in a pit against Getafe which Valencia won 4–1. [ 68 ] On 12 April, Villa was set to return to El Molinón, the family ground of Sporting de Gijón where he started his career. He admitted that the brush would be identical emotional for him but went on to score the second Valencia finish in a 3–2 succeed and kept a pre-match promise by not celebrating the goal. [ 69 ] His goal against Villarreal brought his total to 26, and he then scored another two against Athletic Bilbao, finishing with 28 goals after the concluding game of the temper, thus equalling records set by the Argentinian Mario Kempes and the Montenegrin Predrag Mijatović, who besides scored 28 goals in a Valencia shirt in 1978 and 1996, respectively. Kempes reached his reckoning of 28 goals in 34 games while Mijatović achieved it in 40, ultimately seeing Villa beat their percentages, as he achieved the 28 goals in 33 games, recording a finish ratio of 0.84 goals per game. That season saw Villa ‘s best goal-scoring temper at Valencia. [ 70 ] With the season over, Villa had marked his fourth class at Valencia, with only Barcelona ‘s Samuel Eto’o scoring more goals than him in that period, with equitable six more. [ 21 ] british columnist Sid Lowe, however, pointed out that Eto’o achieved this “ in a team that racked up 129 [ goals ] more than Villa ‘s side ”, and noted that “ most of that time he [ Villa ] has taken Valencia ‘s corners and free-kicks – and however good a player is he ca n’t head in his own crosses ”. [ 21 ] Villa besides ended the season as the third base crown scorer in La Liga with 28 goals, precisely behind Eto’o ( 30 ) and Diego Forlán ( 32 ). After recording the best goal run for a Valencia musician in 60 years back in the 2005–06 season, he went three better in the 2008–09 season. [ 71 ] The 28 league goals, in accession to three more in other competitions that temper, accumulated a total of 101 goals in 180 official games with the Valencian kit. [ 24 ]

2009–10 season

“ David Villa is a phenomenon – the best in Europe ”

– Quini, five-time Pichichi winner [ 21 ]
After the shock die from the Confederations Cup with Spain, Villa returned from his holidays on 27 July amidst much media speculation linking him with top clubs such as real Madrid, [ 72 ] Barcelona, [ 73 ] Liverpool, [ 74 ] Chelsea, [ 75 ] and Manchester United. [ 76 ] Villa quelled such rumours after announcing his desire to remain at the Mestalla to fulfil his contract, underlining that he “ could not spend all summer refuting things, then I wanted to be hushed … I was told I should leave Valencia for the good of the baseball club, soon after that everything changed and from that here and now on I never saw myself out of here – before the Euros, the cabaret told me what my asking price was, and I thought they were going to sell me, but when I returned from my vacations, Vicente Soriano said that he did not want me to leave Valencia. That removed all doubt for me. There is no train missed because all that I have achieved is because of Valencia and the spanish national team. ” When questioned on whether or not he should apologise to Valencia fans, he just replied, “ I did not kill anyone, I do not think I have to ask for forgiveness. ” [ 77 ] On 20 August 2009, Villa scored in his first official match of the season, a 3–0 Europa League modifier against Stabæk. [ 78 ] He followed this up with two goals against Real Valladolid on 13 September, Villa ‘s first league goals of the 2009–10 season. [ 79 ] He scored twice more a week former against erstwhile clubhouse Sporting Gijón in a 2–2 draw at the Mestalla, where he besides performed duties as the team ‘s master. [ 80 ] After the match, Villa hinted towards being infelicitous with Unai Emery ‘s managerial decisions, state, “ The approach for the second gear half was not right. We relaxed and ended up with the same result as last class. What has happened, has happened, but their goalkeeper was good, unlike our approach, which was not good, ” [ 81 ] however a day late he denied being critical of Emery, pointing out that, “ When I talked about the approach path, I was referring to the hale team, I spoke in the heat of the consequence, I was annoyed at the way we lost two points and I said what I thought, but I have clarified everything that needed to be cleared up. ” [ 82 ] In 2009, Villa scored more goals than any other football player, tallying 43 goals in 54 games across all competitions for both Spain and Valencia. [ 13 ] [ 24 ] The IFFHS listed him fourthly in the “ World ‘s top Goal Scorer 2009 ” rankings. [ 83 ] On 18 October, Villa was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, [ 84 ] while about two weeks late, on 30 October, he was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year. [ 85 ] After going three league games without scoring, Villa contributed two goals towards Valencia ‘s 4–1 victory against Villarreal on 17 January 2010, the inaugural of his two goals became his hundredth league goal with Valencia. [ 24 ] [ 86 ] Another couple came against Getafe on 22 February 2010, the second finish being “ a superb chip ” ( as described by ESPN ) over Jordi Codina. [ 87 ] On 18 March, Valencia went to the Weserstadion to play Werder Bremen in the Europa League. Villa scored a hat-trick, his third gear finish being of note, which was fired in from eight yards out. The match ended 4–4 while Valencia proceeded to the next round on aside goals. [ 88 ] On 4 May 2010, Valencia played Xerez ; Villa did not start but came on as a alternate 62 minutes into the match, which ended 3–1. Valencia still had two more games to play in the league, although Villa did not feature, making the bet on against Xerez the concluding time he played for Valencia. [ 24 ]

Barcelona

2010–11 season

villa during his presentation as a Barcelona player On 19 May 2010, Barcelona reached an agreement with Valencia for the learning of Villa for a €40 million transfer tip. [ 89 ] [ 90 ] Villa signed a four-year contract with Barça with the option for a fifth, worth a report €7 million per season, thus following in the footsteps of his heroes Luis Enrique and Quini, both of whom, like Villa, started out at Sporting Gijón and ended up at Barcelona. [ 91 ] On 21 May 2010, over 35,000 Barcelona supporters packed into Camp Nou to see Villa ‘s presentation, where he revealed the kit Barcelona would use during the 2010–11 season. He was given his favorite numeral 7, a total which had been rid at the club since Eiður Guðjohnsen left in 2009. [ 93 ] He made his first appearance for the club in the second leg of the Supercopa de España, during the moment one-half as a alternate for mate spanish international Pedro. His debut appearance would besides see him win his beginning assemble of silver-ware with the Catalonian side, as Barcelona won 4–0 and 5–3 on aggregate due to a hat-trick by teammate Lionel Messi. [ 94 ] His first goal came during the Joan Gamper Trophy ( an annual friendly rival ) against Milan ; Barcelona won 3–1 on penalties after the match had ended 1–1 during convention prison term. [ 95 ]
Villa challenging Sergio Ramos for the ball after scoring two goals in Barcelona ‘s 5–0 victory over Real Madrid On 29 August 2010, Villa made his La Liga debut with Barcelona against Racing de Santander, where he scored the one-third goal of the match to help seal a 3–0 victory. [ 96 ] On 14 September 2010, he scored on his Champions League debut with Barcelona in a 5–1 victory over Panathinaikos. [ 97 ] Against Sevilla, on 31 October 2010, Barcelona won 5–0 against the andalusian side, while Villa netted a brace. Villa ‘s first El Clásico against Real Madrid came on 29 November 2010, where he scored two goals as Barcelona won 5–0 at the Camp Nou. [ 98 ] Talking about the equal, he commented that, “ It ‘s been a identical important winnings. We looked for the victory and we got it. And the leave and the manner in which we achieved it, you can not ask for more. ” [ 99 ] He then scored a goal against Real Sociedad, a match Barcelona won 5–0. [ 100 ] He followed with a brace against Espanyol, helping Barcelona to a 5–1 winnings. [ 101 ] On 28 May 2011, Villa scored the third gear goal – curling the ball into the net from 25-yards out – in Barcelona ‘s 3–1 victory over Manchester United in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League final examination. [ 102 ]

2011–12 season

Villa ‘s season comes to an end as he ‘s carried off on a stretcher after breaking his tibia at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup villa started the season with goals against Mexican clubs Guadalajara and América in pre-season friendly matches. [ 103 ] [ 104 ] His first official match of the season was against Real Madrid in the first stage of the 2011 Supercopa de España, where Villa scored a “ first ” goal to help Barça seal a 2–2 string at the Santiago Bernabéu, [ 105 ] while on 17 August 2011, Villa was sent off in the dying moments of the second leg ( which Barcelona won 3–2 ) after an affray with Mesut Özil. [ 106 ] Against Osasuna on 17 September 2011, Villa contributed two goals and forced Rovérsio into scoring an own goal in Barcelona ‘s 8–0 succeed over the team from Pamplona. [ 107 ] He then broke his tibia in a Club World Cup match in Yokohama against Al Sadd. Doctors said he was to be out of action for up to six months, [ 108 ] [ 109 ] [ 110 ] but this finally led to him missing the entire 2011–12 season with both Barcelona and the spanish football team at Euro 2012 .

2012–13 season

After spending eight months without being able to play any football, Villa last returned from his wound in the 73rd moment of Barcelona ‘s 2–0 win over Dinamo Bucharest on 11 August 2012. Eight days subsequently, he played his beginning competitive football meet since December 2011 in Barcelona ‘s first La Liga game of the season where he received a standing ovation while coming on as a substitute for Pedro. It only took seven minutes before Villa found himself on the score-sheet while sealing a 5–1 victory for his team against Real Sociedad. [ 111 ] On 28 November, Villa scored two goals in a 3–1 over Deportivo Alavés, which included his three-hundredth career goal. [ 112 ] Against A.C. Milan in the irregular leg of beat of 16 of the Champions League, Villa scored the critical third goal in Barcelona ‘s 4–0 victory, helping his team overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit. [ 113 ] In the future attack, Villa assisted Pedro ‘s equalising goal against Paris Saint-Germain which took Barcelona through to the semi-final, where they were finally knocked out 7–0 on sum by Bayern Munich. [ 114 ] David Villa ended the temper with a large phone number of his appearances coming from the bench, partially due to the recovery prison term of his previous wound. Despite this, he was still able to amass 16 goals in 39 appearances while his performances earned him a position in Spain ‘s 2013 Confederations Cup police squad. [ 115 ] [ 116 ]

Atlético Madrid

villa with Atlético in 2013 On 8 July 2013, Barcelona announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Villa to Atlético Madrid for a bargain-priced deal of €5.1 million. [ 117 ] On 21 August 2013, he scored in the 2013 Supercopa de España foremost leg on his debut for Atlético against his former club Barcelona with a right-footed volley. [ citation needed ] villa scored his first goal of the league season on 1 September, besides assisting Koke as Atlético won 2–1 aside at Real Sociedad. [ 118 ] On 27 October, he scored his first Atlético brace as the side defeated Real Betis 5–0 at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. [ 119 ] He added two far braces during the season : on 23 November in a 7–0 win over Getafe [ 120 ] and the other in the space of 90 seconds in a 2–0 aside win against Celta de Vigo on 8 March 2014. [ 121 ] He finished his only season at the cabaret with 13 league goals from 36 appearances, contributing to Atlético ‘s first league title since 1996 and besides helping them reach the 2014 Champions League concluding, where they lost to Real Madrid. [ 122 ]

New York City

On 1 June 2014, Villa announced that he would leave Atlético. While he called the club he was joining “ an irresistible project ”, [ 123 ] he did not reveal the identity of the club. The following day, he was announced as the first actor for the newly formed New York City, who would start play in the 2015 temper of Major League Soccer ( MLS ). He was handed the count 7 shirt on arrival, and stated, “ I want to try to help MLS continue to grow and try to make New York City become the best team in the league. ” [ 124 ]

Melbourne City ( loanword )

Parallel to his joining New York City, Villa was announced to have joined the australian A-League with Melbourne City, following the team ‘s association with Manchester City. Villa was on a node scrimp, allowing him to make up to ten appearances for Melbourne City during the 2014–15 season, taking advantage of the scheduling of the A-League and MLS to maintain meet fitness ahead of his debut with New York City. [ 125 ] After only joining Melbourne City for pre-season train just over a week before their beginning game, Villa was brought on in the 48th moment of the first plot of the temper against Sydney, and scored a debut goal a quarter of an hour into his appearance. [ 126 ] On 19 October 2014, in his second base match, Villa scored an 87th-minute equalizer against the Newcastle Jets for a 1–1 draw. [ 127 ] Despite signing for ten-spot matches, Villa was recalled by New York City after merely four matches, none of which were won by Melbourne City ; the last was a 1–2 home kill to Adelaide United. [ 128 ] It was estimated that he tripled the clubhouse ‘s attendance, and director John van ‘t Schip credited Villa with bringing attention to the club. [ 129 ]

Return to New York City

villa with New York City in May 2015 villa was named New York City ‘s first gear ever team captain on 1 February 2015, arsenic well as their first Designated Player. [ 130 ] Nine days late, in a friendly against scots golf club St Mirren, he scored the team ‘s first ever finish. [ 131 ] On 8 March, he started in the team ‘s first MLS game, away to fellow newcomers Orlando City. In a 1–1 puff, he set up Mix Diskerud for the beginning goal and was fouled by Aurélien Collin, who was sent off for the challenge. [ citation needed ] A week late, in their first base meet at Yankee Stadium, Villa opened the score in a 2–0 win over the New England Revolution for the team ‘s first competitive victory. [ 132 ] On 12 July, Villa netted doubly in a 4–4 home describe against Toronto, despite missing a penalty in the inaugural half. [ 133 ] He was selected to take separate in the 2015 MLS All-Star Game on 29 July, at the Dick ‘s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado ; he scored the match-winning goal from a Kaká assist as the MLS All-Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2–1. [ 134 ] Despite Villa ‘s fecund performances, which saw him score 18 goals during the 2015 MLS regular temper, New York City did not qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in their inaugural political campaign. [ 135 ] In July 2016, Villa was included in the roll for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game. [ 136 ] Villa won the 2016 MLS MVP Award for the best actor in the league. [ 10 ] He scored 23 goals in the 2016 Major League Soccer season. Villa was chosen to start against former Clásico rivals real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game. He started on the right of a movement three, aboard Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. The game ended 1–1, Real winning 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out. Later, on 6 August, Villa scored his first MLS hat-trick in the Blues ‘ 3–2 gain over the New York Red Bulls in Yankee Stadium, taking him to 17 goals for the season and leading the goalscoring charts, surpassing Chicago Fire striker Nemanja Nikolić. At the end of the regular season, Villa ended up with 22 goals finishing second for crown scorekeeper award, two goals shy of Nemanja Nikolić. [ 137 ] While New York City lost to Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference semifinals. [ 138 ] On 29 April 2018, Villa scored doubly in a 3–1 winnings over Dallas. The goals were his 400 and 401st for club and nation, and in doing so, Villa became one of the few players of the modern era to score more than 400 goals in their career. [ 139 ]

Vissel Kobe

On 1 December 2018, Villa signed a contract for the 2019 season with J1 League club Vissel Kobe. [ 140 ] [ 141 ] Villa joined his erstwhile Barcelona and Spain teammate Andrés Iniesta. [ 142 ] On 2 March, Villa scored his first goal in the J1 League in a 1–0 acquire over Sagan Tosu. [ 143 ] On 13 November 2019, Villa announced that he would end his 19-year career and retire at the end of the 2019 J1 League season. [ 144 ] On 7 December, he scored his final finish of his career from a penalty on the final matchday of the 2019 J1 League season, in a 4–1 gain over Jubilo Iwata. [ 145 ] On 1 January 2020, Villa entered the final of 2019 Emperor ‘s Cup in 92nd minute as a substitute. Vissel Kobe won the match against Kashima Antlers and he got his first silverware in Japan before retirement. [ 146 ] Villa scored 13 goals during 28 J1 League matches .

Club Ownership

On 13 November 2019, Villa announced that, once he retired, he would be investing as an owner of USL Championship side Queensboro FC, based in Queens, New York City, United States. The club will begin play in 2022. [ 147 ]

technical Committee Member

On 6 May 2021, indian Super League club Odisha FC declared him as the heading of Global Football Operations adenine well as penis of the technical committee along with former bus Josep Gomabu & Victor Onate ahead of the 2021-22 ISL campaign. Their character includes advising the coach staff, improving the indian and youth players, providing cosmopolitan support to the on-field activities among others. “ I will try to bring my experience. obviously, I didn ’ t play in India but I played soccer for 20 years as a professional and before that in the academy. And in all of the projects that we ( my team ) are involved in, I try to give all of my have that I have in soccer, ” Villa said after joining the clubhouse. [ 148 ]

International career

2006 World Cup

An casual penis of the Under-21 team, Villa marked his external début under Luis Aragonés on 9 February 2005 in a 2006 World Cup qualifier where Spain beat San Marino 5–0 at the Estadio del Mediterráneo while his first international finish came in the phase of a late equalizer during a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on 16 November. [ 149 ] A successful season with Valencia saw him get called up as part of the 23-man squad to represent Spain at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Spain ‘s first match at the tournament and Villa ‘s World Cup debut resulted in a 4–0 winnings against Ukraine where Villa netted a brace, [ 150 ] and besides put his state 1–0 up against France in the Round of 16, although Spain went on to lose the match 3–1. [ 151 ] He and Fernando Torres finished as Spain ‘s circus tent scorers with three goals each. [ 152 ]

euro 2008

“ We complement each other very well. We get on well on the pitch and very well off it besides. We ‘re a well partnership. We both chase down defenders, put pressure on and fight to create chances for each early. We work well together. ”

–David Villa on Fernando Torres. [ 20 ] [ 153 ] [ 154 ]
By the end of 2006, Villa had become an built-in part of Luis Aragonés ‘ plans and ousted Raúl from the team. [ 42 ] Proving vital in Spain ‘s qualification for Euro 2008, he scored six goals, [ 42 ] including a bicycle kick against Liechtenstein. [ 155 ] He was subsequently called up for the tournament where he formed a contact relationship with Torres, with whom he would much celebrate his goals. [ 153 ] He scored a hat-trick in Spain ‘s 4–1 win over Russia, making him the first player to do so at a UEFA european Championship since Patrick Kluivert in 2000, and only the seventh overall. [ 156 ] After the third finish, he went out of his way to meet Torres, who was on the bench at the prison term, to celebrate with him : “ I had just scored a hat-trick and I knew people would be talking about me, but I wanted them to see that I had benefited from Torres ‘s work, merely as he sometimes benefits from mine. ” [ 20 ] [ 153 ] In the following match, he secured a 2–1 winnings against Sweden with a goal in the 92nd minute. Rested for the following peer against Greece, he started once again in the quarter-finals, where Spain beat Italy 4–2 on penalties ; Villa took the beginning penalty and scored. [ 157 ] Reaching their first semi-final in 24 years, Spain went on to face Russia for the second gear time during the tournament, though during the early stages of the match, Villa sustained a thigh injury after taking a barren kick and was replaced by Cesc Fàbregas. The injury meant that he could not participate in the concluding where Spain beat Germany 1–0 to claim their second win at the European Football Championships. Despite missing the concluding and the majority of the semi-final, Villa ‘s four goals in the four games he played were enough for him to be crown scorer of the tournament [ 153 ] and was awarded the Golden Boot. [ 158 ] He besides made the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament alongside striking spouse Torres. [ 159 ]

2009 Confederations Cup

Spain ‘s inaugural catch during qualification for the 2010 World Cup was against Bosnia and Herzegovina where Villa scored the only goal of the game. He would go on to score four goals in Spain ‘s next three games, including a last minute achiever against Belgium. Another goal during a friendly match against Chile saw him end the year with 12 goals, breaking Raúl ‘s record of 10 goals held since 1999. [ 161 ] Villa began 2009 with a goal against England in a 2–0 friendly, [ 162 ] with this goal, he broke another record and became the first spanish international to have scored in six consecutive games, seeing off records set by Telmo Zarra and László Kubala. [ 163 ] Speaking of the goal, he said, “ I am very felicitous with the finish. Truth is, I actually want to see it on television receiver. The record is very dainty. I would never have imagined in years that I would be able to obtain it. I am very gallant and I hope I can continue breaking records. ” [ 163 ]
Villa ( number 7 ) with the Spain team before a match against Austria On 1 June 2009, Vicente del Bosque named Villa in his 23-man team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. [ 164 ] In a friendly meet before the tournament, Villa scored his second international hat-trick against Azerbaijan, about precisely a year after his hat-trick against Russia at Euro 2008. [ 165 ] He debuted at the Confederations Cup with a goal, the concluding of the five goals in Spain ‘s 5–0 victory over New Zealand, [ 166 ] while in the following crippled he scored the decisive goal against a defensive Iraqi team. [ 167 ] Against South Africa, he missed a penalty, but within a moment made up for the miss by putting Spain ahead, helping them equal the records of most consecutive wins and most consecutive matches undefeated before making way for Pablo Hernández. [ 168 ] The finish was his final of the tournament but was enough to see him win the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe, he would besides go on to make the team of the tournament. [ 169 ] villa earned his fiftieth cap during a friendly against the Republic of Macedonia in a catch where Spain won 3–2. [ 170 ]

2010 World Cup

On 5 September 2009, Villa added two more goals to his finish count for Spain, while assisting twice during the World Cup qualifier against Belgium, in A Coruña. The match ended 5–0 to Spain, where Villa besides had a first-half punishment saved by belgian goalkeeper Jean-François Gillet. [ 171 ] Villa finished the year with his sixth international brace against Austria in the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, the set where Spain were crowned european champions the previous year. With these two goals, Villa equalled the record he set last year of most goals scored in one calendar year by a spanish international. [ 172 ] Spain ‘s first match in 2010 came on 3 March, against France at the Stade de France ; Villa scored the orifice goal in a game which Spain went on to win 2–0. [ 173 ] In 2010, Villa came beginning in the IFFHS “ 2010 ‘s World Top Goalscorer at International Level ” rankings, [ 174 ] he was subsequently selected as a function of Vicente del Bosque ‘s 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [ 175 ] In a friendly against Saudi Arabia on 29 May 2010, Villa scored the beginning of Spain ‘s goals as they won 3–2 at the Tivoli Neu – the stadium where he scored his hat-trick against Russia during Euro 2008. [ 176 ] Failing to score in Spain ‘s next equal against South Korea, he opened the score sheet in Spain ‘s following catch against Poland, in which Spain won 6–0, recording Poland ‘s their worst defeat in 50 years. [ 177 ]
In Spain ‘s first 2010 World Cup match, Villa was chosen as a lone striker, but could do nothing to prevent their shock defeat at the hands of Switzerland. [ 178 ] Five days former, Spain defeated Honduras 2–0, where villa scored both goals, but wasted his opportunity to complete a hat-trick when he was awarded a penalty gripe – side-footing the ball merely wide of the post. [ 179 ] It was the foremost fourth dimension in 14 attempts Spain ever missed a penalty in a World Cup during the run of play. [ 179 ] In the lapp game, Villa was shown to slap Emilio Izaguirre in the confront after the Honduran actor tread on him. villa said he was “ not proud ” of the heat of the here and now incident, but he escaped a ban. [ 180 ] Villa helped secure Spain ‘s place in the orotund of 16 after scoring the first base finish in a 2–1 win over Chile, with a long-range inject into an empty net after Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo ran out of his area to prevent Fernando Torres from scoring. [ 181 ] The goal would become his sixth goal in FIFA World Cup matches, becoming Spain ‘s all-time top scorer at the World Cup finals, ahead of Emilio Butragueño, Fernando Hierro, Fernando Morientes and Raúl, all of whom have five. [ 182 ] Spain were up against Portugal in the round of 16, and Villa would prove to be full of life once again, as Xavi backheeled an Andrés Iniesta bye to the on-rushing Villa, who hit the back of the internet on the bounce after having his first base photograph saved by Eduardo, proving enough to give Spain a plaza in the quarter-finals against Paraguay, [ 183 ] where Villa scored a goal from a recoil after Pedro hit the post. once again, Villa ‘s goal proved to be the deviation as the match finished 1–0, while Spain booked a game with Germany in the semi-finals, [ 184 ] where Spain recorded so far another 1–0 victory with the entirely finish coming from Carles Puyol. villa started in the final against the Netherlands, where he had an opportunity to score from cheeseparing range, but was impeded by John Heitinga who managed to block his tear ; during regulation time, he managed five shots, none of which troubled the opposing goalkeeper, however. Villa was replaced by Fernando Torres in the 106th minute and Spain won the championship 1–0 on Iniesta ‘s goal in the 116th moment. [ 185 ] [ 186 ] Villa, who scored five of Spain ‘s eight goals in the World Cup Finals, and who was immediately involved in a record 75 % of the winning team ‘s goals with his goals and an extra assist, was awarded the Silver Shoe ; he had the like number of goals as Thomas Müller, the Gold Shoe winner, but fewer assists. [ 187 ] [ 188 ] [ 189 ] Villa was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. [ 190 ]

euro 2012 modification and missing out on Euro 2012

Spain ‘s first catch of UEFA Euro 2012 modification was against Liechtenstein on 3 September 2010, Villa scored the irregular goal of the equal which finally ended 4–0. It was believed that this goal meant that he had equalled Raúl ‘s record 44-goal reckoning, [ 191 ] however after many debates about whether he or Dariusz Dudka scored the beginning finish in Spain ‘s 6–0 win over Poland, FIFA finally decided that it was indeed an own goal by Dudka, meaning Villa ‘s goal reckoning would remain at 43. [ 192 ] On 12 October 2010, he ultimately equalled Raúl ‘s record, scoring a penalty against Scotland and helping Spain see off the Scots in a 3–2 victory at Hampden Park. [ 13 ] [ 193 ] On 25 March 2011, Villa scored two goals against the Czech Republic in a Euro 2012 qualifier, which ultimately handed Spain a 2–1 victory, while at the like prison term he managed to eclipse Raúl as Spain ‘s all-time lead goalscorer. [ 194 ] Speaking of the accomplishment, he stated that, “ The goals are dedicated to all the team-mates, all the coaches, all partners and friends I had during my career … But hanker ago I promised José, who is a ally of mine, that the goal which overwhelm Raúl would be for him. ” [ 195 ] On 7 September 2011, Villa helped secure Spain ‘s qualification for UEFA Euro 2012 by scoring two goals in Spain ‘s 6–0 victory over Liechtenstein. [ 196 ] In Spain ‘s last euro 2012 qualifying couple, Villa scored his fiftieth external goal against Scotland in a 3–1 victory for Spain. [ 197 ] That same match was besides the first clock time Villa was able to wear the captain ‘s armband while playing for the spanish national team. [ 198 ] Villa finished as top scorer of Group I with seven goals, however, after fracturing his tibia in December 2011, he was left out of Spain ‘s final examination police squad for Euro 2012 after telling Vicente del Bosque that he would not be fit for the tournament. He tweeted, “ I ‘ve tried, but I ca n’t be 100 % to play the Eurocup. I called Del Bosque. It ‘s the honest thing. ” Del Bosque was hoping to include Villa in the squad and promised to give Villa adenine long as possible to return to fitness. [ 199 ]

2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup

After Spain had won Euro 2012, Villa had returned to fitness and was subsequently called up to the Spain team again. He made his return in the 53rd minute during a friendly against Saudi Arabia and found himself on the score sail just ten minutes subsequently. [ 200 ] On 3 June 2013, Vicente del Bosque included Villa in his 23-man police squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup [ 116 ] where he scored three goals, all of which were against Tahiti in a 10–0 victory for Spain. [ 201 ] villa was named in Spain ‘s squad for the 2014 World Cup. [ 202 ] Prior to the World Cup, he confirmed that he would retire from international football after the tournament. [ 203 ] With Spain ‘s elimination already confirmed, Villa was selected to start in Spain ‘s final group match against Australia. He scored his 59th goal for La Furia Roja, and ninth in World Cup finals, in his concluding international appearance, a 3–0 succeed on 23 June 2014. [ 204 ] In December 2015, Villa revealed that he was considering reversing his international retirement. [ 205 ]

2018 World Cup qualifying

On 25 August 2017, Villa was included in Spain ‘s police squad for the 2018 World Cup reservation matches against Italy and Liechtenstein, three years after originally retiring from external football. [ 12 ]

Succeeding Raúl as Spain ‘s number 7

Villa succeeded Raúl as the number 7 for the spanish national team The spanish media has much compared Villa with Raúl, to the point where Villa was accused of taking the number 7 new jersey away from the then-Real Madrid player. In March 2009, Villa spoke out, saying, “ I have not taken anything away from anybody, I was simply playing well for my clubhouse and the national coach gave me an opportunity. Too a lot has been said about the issue emergence. I ’ m not looking to cause any controversy. In fact, Raúl and I were in the national squad together in the past. I haven ’ thyroxine forced anybody out. ” When questioned on whether the whole tumult created over Raúl ‘s omission was affecting him personally, he said, “ I ‘ve never liked it because I think it has been damaging for the both of us. We ‘ve always got on well in concert whenever we ‘ve met up for international duty, so I ‘m not concerned. I just work hard for myself. All I want is to be in the team for every game, to have the Spain badge on my thorax and to score as many goals as I can. ” [ 206 ] In February 2010, Bernd Schuster was asked if Raúl did not favour Villa moving to Real Madrid, to which he responded, “ I have a cough, ” which caused many to believe that he was implying the rumor to be dependable. [ 207 ] Villa securely ridiculed that theme by saying, “ It is impossible that a actor with angstrom much class on and off the pitch as Raúl would speak ailing of me. I have constantly had a good relationship with Raúl, even though we have hardly met on international duty. ” [ 208 ] [ 209 ] Speaking about Raúl ‘s read with the spanish national team as the nation ‘s run top scorer, Villa said, “ I ‘ve got 25 goals but he ‘s got 44 and is however playing. I ‘d be delighted to reach that score as I ‘d help the national team achieve capital victories and, in many years ‘ time, I could see my list on a [ scorers ‘ list ] that another new cub was trying to beat. That would be capital. ” [ 206 ] On 25 March 2011, two years after making that remark, Villa surpassed Raúl as Spain ‘s all-time top scorekeeper. [ 194 ]

Playing dash

“ villa is not entirely there to finish plays. Villa is synonymous with depth. It means always being ready to open passing lanes, to draw defenders and therefore freeing space for others. ”

– Johan Cruyff, three time Ballon d’Or winner. [ 210 ]
A fecund goalscorer, Villa is regarded by pundits as one of the best forwards of his coevals, and one of the best spanish strikers of all-time. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] An opportunist, versatile and all-around player, Villa is naturally right-footed, [ 4 ] but an accurate and powerful finisher with either foot, due to his ambidexterity, both inside and outside the area, [ 18 ] [ 211 ] despite his miss of acme or animalism ; [ 20 ] [ 154 ] he was besides a set piece and punishment kick specialist. [ 20 ] [ 6 ] Villa was a quick, agile, and mobile team player, with excellent technique and dribbling skills, who was besides known for his work-rate and intelligent offensive movement, arsenic well as his ability to either create space for teammates or make attack runs into the area. [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 154 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] ascribable to his imagination and guide ability, he was besides capable of dropping deep to link up play with midfielders, and of creating chances and providing assists for teammates, which has allowed him to be deployed as a supporting ahead, as an attacking midfielder or as a winger throughout his career, in addition to his more coarse function as a centre-forward. [ 20 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 212 ]

personal animation

villa pledging support for official realization of the Asturian language in 2009 In 2003, Villa married his childhood sweetheart Patricia González, who had besides been a football player in her adolescent years. [ 18 ] together they have three children : Zaida, Olaya — named after the wife of Fernando Torres, who is a cheeseparing friend of Patricia [ 213 ] — and Luca. [ 214 ] The names of his children are engraved on his individualized Adidas F50 boots ; [ 18 ] while one boot bears the spanish flag, the other has the masthead of Asturias. [ 215 ] His footballing idols are fellow Asturians Luis Enrique and Quini, both of whom besides played for Sporting de Gijón and Barcelona. Villa frequently attends charity events. [ 216 ] He is actively involved with the campaigns of the UNICEF charity. [ 217 ] Beginning in July 2008, a David Villa Camp is held annually, where children receive training from professional footballers. Villa besides participates in a train session with the children. [ 218 ] villa features in EA Sports ‘ FIFA video game series ; he was on the cover of the spanish edition of the video bet on FIFA 07, [ 219 ] and he besides appeared on the report of the MLS customs edition of FIFA 16. [ 220 ] In 2010, Villa sang aboard Grammy Award -nominated spanish singer Ana Torroja on the song “ rebellion ” by El Último de la Fila. The recording was made for the benefactive role stick out Voces X1FIN to help raise money to build an art and education school in Mali. Villa commented that footballers “ are an example for company and we have to be ready to get involved in these projects, where we can help people who need it ”. [ 221 ] In the summer of 2020, David Villa was accused of sexual harassment that took target during his meter at New York City FC. [ 222 ] A subsequent investigation by the golf club found that “ inappropriate and unacceptable ” behavior took place, though Villa was not mentioned by name. Villa maintains the allegations are “ wholly false ”. [ 223 ]

career statistics

club

International

Appearances and goals by year and competition

Team

Year

Competitive

Friendly

Total

Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals

Spain[224]

2005
4[a]
1

4
1

2006
7[b]
6
7
2
14
8

2007
8[c]
3
2
0
10
3

2008
8[d]
9
5
3
14
12

2009
8[e]
5
5
6
13
11

2010
10[f]
7
6
2
16
9

2011
5[g]
5
7
2
12
7

2012
1[h]
0
2
2
3
2

2013
6[i]
3
4
0
10
3

2014
1[j]
1
1
2
2
3

2015


2016


2017
1[k]
0

1
0

Total
59
40
39
19
98
59

Honours

[ 2 ] [ 225 ] Zaragoza
Valencia

  • Copa del Rey: 2007–08

Barcelona
Atlético Madrid
Vissel Kobe
Spain
Individual
Achievements
Decorations

References