How the Spanish ambassador became the unlikely face of MLS
David Villa became the first player recruited by NYCFC in June of 2014. Having just finished a successful campaign with Atletico Madrid, winning La Liga, he chose to embark upon an adventure in The Big Apple.
He called it “an irresistible project” but his unveiling appeared incongruous, a low-key, disjointed affair. Villa hardly spoke any English and used a translator. Yet he was installed as the captain of this newly founded club, that no-one could quite yet place.
A Spanish legend, Villa is the all-time leading goalscorer for his country. Villa spent time at Sporting Gijón and Real Zaragoza before signing with Valencia. He was named the Spanish Player of the Year in 2005–06, his first season with the club. Replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona, Villa won three of his four La Liga titles with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid and captured the 2010–11 Champions League crown with a goal that defines his career at club level.
Video: David Villa goal for Barcelona v Manchester United
Villa scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup and four goals at the 2008 Euros to help Spain capture those two trophies. He has registered more than 90 caps with La Roja since making his debut in 2005.