David Villa Sánchez

David Villa Sánchez is widely regarded as one of Spain’s greatest footballers. Known for his clinical finishing, versatility in attack, and exceptional vision, Villa became Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer with 59 goals. His remarkable career spans successful stints at Valencia, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid, followed by pioneering moves to New York City FC and Vissel Kobe, helping expand football’s global reach.

Spanish Football Legend

David Villa Sánchez, born in Langreo, Asturias on December 3, 1981, transformed from a mining town boy into Spain’s greatest goalscorer. Overcoming a childhood femur fracture that nearly ended his career before it began, Villa’s determination and natural talent propelled him through Spanish football’s ranks. His trademark left-foot finishes, intelligent positioning, and versatility made him beloved at every club he represented, while his humility and work ethic earned universal respect from teammates and rivals alike.

Early Years and Path to Professional Football

David Villa’s journey began at UP Langreo, his hometown club, where his father worked as a mining equipment assembler. Despite suffering a serious leg injury at age four that required intensive rehabilitation, Villa’s passion for football never diminished. His professional career took flight at Sporting Gijón, where he scored 38 goals over two seasons in Spain’s Segunda División. This remarkable output earned him a move to Real Zaragoza, where he helped secure the Copa del Rey title in 2004 and demonstrated his predatory instincts against La Liga’s elite defenses before earning his career-defining transfer to Valencia.

Success at Valencia and Barcelona

At Valencia, Villa truly established himself as one of the world’s premier strikers, scoring 107 goals in 166 appearances while forming lethal partnerships with stars like David Silva. His consistent excellence earned him a €40 million move to Barcelona in 2010, where he flourished under Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary system. At Camp Nou, Villa added La Liga titles and the 2011 UEFA Champions League to his trophy cabinet, memorably scoring in the final against Manchester United. His ability to seamlessly integrate with Barcelona’s tiki-taka style while maintaining his clinical edge demonstrated his remarkable tactical intelligence and adaptability at the highest level.

Later Years at Atletico Madrid and New York City

Following a serious leg injury and recovery at Barcelona, Villa moved to Atlético Madrid where he immediately contributed to a historic La Liga title in 2013-14, defying the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly. In 2014, Villa made a pioneering move to become New York City FC’s first designated player, helping establish MLS as a destination for world-class talent. He scored 80 goals in 124 appearances, winning the league MVP award in 2016. Villa finished his playing career in Japan with Vissel Kobe alongside former Barcelona teammate Andrés Iniesta before retiring in 2020, having scored over 400 career goals for club and country.

Personal projects and social activities

Beyond the pitch, David Villa has demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial vision and social commitment. In 2016, he founded DV7 Soccer Academy, which now operates training centers across Spain, the United States, Puerto Rico, and Japan, focusing on developing young talent through Spanish football methodology. Villa also co-owns Queensboro FC, a professional club in New York, furthering his commitment to growing the sport in the United States.