David Villa is a former professional football player from Spain. He is widely considered one of the best forwards of his generation. He is also known as one of the best Spanish strikers of all time. He has played for many football teams, including Real Zaragoza, Atletico Madrid, and Vissel Kobe.
After his football career, he started working as a technical advisor for Odisha FC, a football club in the Indian Super League.
Player Profile, Personal Life, and Youth Career
David Villa Sánchez was born on December 3, 1981, in Langreo, Spain. He stands 175 cm tall and he played the position of striker. He is married and has three kids.
| Position | Forward |
| Height / weight | 1.75 m / 68 kg |
| Born | 3 Dec 1981 |
| Nationality |
Spain
|
| Nickname | El Guaje (The Kid) |
| Team History | |
| Vissel Kobe | 2019 - 2020 |
New York City
|
2014 - 2018 |
Melbourne City
|
2014 (loan) |
Atletico
|
2013 - 2014 |
Barcelona
|
2010 - 2013 |
Valencia
|
2005 - 2010 |
Real Zaragoza
|
2003 - 2005 |
Gijon
|
2001 - 2003 |
|
Gijon
|
2000 - 2001 |
He started his youth career in Langreo. In 1999, he joined Sporting Gijon.
Professional Career
Villa turned pro in 2000 and started playing for Sporting Gijon B before he was promoted to the main team. He stayed with them from 2000 to 2003.
In 2003, he signed with Real Zaragoza and was there from 2003 to 2005, making 73 appearances. He spent most of his professional career with Valencia and made 166 appearances with the team, scoring 108 goals.
At Valencia, Villa has developed into one of the most complete and potent strikers. In his first season at the Mestalla, Villa scored an impressive 25 league goals, just 1 fewer than the top scorer Samuel Eto’o of FC Barcelona. Villa consistently scored for Valencia since then and joined Barcelona in the summer of 2010. He won La Liga and the Champions League with the Catalan Giants in his first season at Camp Nou.
From 2010 to 2013, he played for Barcelona FC. Then from 2013 to 2014, he played for Atletico Madrid. In 2014, he moved to play in the United States for New York City FC. In 2014, they loaned him for a short while to Melbourne City.
Before he retired, he played for Visell Kobe from 2019 to 2020.
Villa was a key figure in the international arena too. He debuted for the Spanish National side in February 2005 against San Marino in Almeria.
Honors
- 2010 - FIFA FIFPro World11
- 2010 - UEFA Team of the Year
- 2010 - FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe
- 2010 - FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
- 2010 - FIFA World Cup Dream Team
- 2010 - FIFA World Cup Man of theMatch: Spain vs Honduras
- 2008 - UEFA Euro 2008 Golden Boot
- 2008 - UEFA Euro 2008 Team of theTournament
- 2008 - UEFA Euro 2008 Man of theMatch: Spain vs Russia, Spain vsSweden
- 2009 - FIFA Confederations CupBronze Shoe
- 2009 - FIFA Confederations Cup Teamof the Tournament
- 2005–06 - Spanish Player of the Year
- 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10 -Zarra Trophy
- 2010 - USSA Male Athlete of the Year
- 2016 - MLS MVP Awar
- 2017 - Best MLS Player ESPY Award
- 2016, 2017 - MLS Best XI
- 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 - MLSAll-Star
- 2015 - Ride of Fame: September
- 2015, 2016, 2017 - NYCFC MostValuable Player
- 2015 - NYCFC Goal of the Year
- 2016 - NYCFC Offensive Player of theYear
- 2017 - MLS Player of the Month: June
- 2019 - J1 League Goal of the Year
Achievements
- 2010 - Prince of Asturias Awards
- 2011 - Gold Medal of the Royal Orderof Sporting Merit
International Career
- 2001–2002 - Asturias
- 2002–2003 - Spain U21
- 2005–2017 – Spain
