David Villa Announces Retirement
Former Barcelona striker, David Villa has called time in his footballing career. The all-time leading goalscorer for Spain has declared his intention to retire at the end of the season when he would be 38.
The striker who currently represents J1 League side Vissel Kobe is now set to bow out of the game after a 19-year successful career that has seen him win the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup with Spain and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2011.
Villa, 37 is Spain’s top scorer having bagged 59 goals in 98 games, with four of them coming in the Euro 2008 where he lifted the Golden Boot and featured prominently in the team of the tournament.
The former Spain Internation made this declaration known via his social media account where he wrote:
“After 19 years as a professional, I have decided to retire from playing football at the end of this season.
“Thank you to all the teams, coaches and team-mates that have allowed me to enjoy this dream career.
“Thank you to my family, that has always been there to support me through good and hard times. It is my objective to put the cherry on top by winning the Emperor’s Cup with Vissel Kobe on January 1st.
“From then on, I will continue to enjoy football through all the projects that we’re currently developing with DV7 group. Thank you for all the love.”
Having quit the round-leather game, the former Valencia forward Villa will be a lead investor in a new United States football franchise, Queensboro FC in New York.
Queensboro FC is expected to enter the second tier of US football from 2021.
Villa won’t be a part of Visel Kobe beyond this season. His side are poised play their Emperor’s Cup semi-final on December 21 with a potential final on January 1.
After then, the Spaniard should move over to the US where he previously represented New York City.
