The Greatest XI side David Villa has shared a dressing room with, in his 19 years long career as the Spanish striker declares retirement.
David Villa has spoken about his retirement and has confirmed that he will hang his boots at the end of Vissel Kobe’s season, he announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Villa said. This is the result of discussions I had with my family and people around me. I wanted to retire from football, not be forced to retire from football.”
Villa undoubtedly had a stellar career as he played in top clubs across the world and have won all the prestigious tournaments including FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League.
In his 19 years long career, the former Spanish International has played with several top players, who helped him in shaping his career and gain glory all the time.
After plying his trade in three continents, now Villa thinks it’s his time to end everything and give a rest. With many of his former teammates being exceptional talents let’s look at the greatest XI player with whom Villa shared a dressing room.
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Greatest XI teammates of David Villa
- Iker Casillas (Spain): Casillas is the greatest Spanish goalkeeper in history and was also the part of Spain’s golden generation that won the World Cup and back to back Euros. With 167 caps, Iker Casillas made the most international appearances as a Real Madrid player.
- Dani Alves (Barcelona): Dani Alves, the player with the most number of trophies in the history will surely go down as a very decorated player. He revolutionized the right-back position and also had great years at his peak.
- Gerard Pique (Barcelona and Spain): Pique was involved in the golden years of both Barcelona and Spain. The Spanish defender has won all the laurels in the world and many came while playing with Villa.
- Carles Puyol (Barcelona and Spain): Barcelona’s greatest defender of last decade had great years with Villa, Puyol was crucial in the world cup squad of Spain in 2010 and in Barcelona’s triumph of Champions League in 2011.
- Jordi Alba (Spain, Valencia and Barcelona): The Spanish defender joined Valencia when Villa was a star in La Liga and was targetted by all the top clubs in Europe. The duo later reunited at Barcelona but that was Villa’s last season with the Catalan club, whereas Alba went on to become a key figure at the club.
- Xavi (Barcelona and Spain): Probably the greatest midfielder of the last generation, Xavi had decorated years with Barcelona, and Villa had explosive years with Villa in midfield. Be it national team or club years with Barcelona, Xavi was influential in Villa’s success.
- Andreas Pirlo (New York City FC): Pirlo is also counted along the lines of Xavi and there are many who think Pirlo was the greatest midfielder in the previous decade. Nevertheless, Villa had the fortune to play alongside him but Pirlo was way past his prime by then.
- Xabi Alonso (Spain): One of the most legendary midfielders Spain ever had. Alonso had his peak years with Liverpool and Real Madrid, he ended his career while playing for Bayern Munich and won all the trophies possible including World Cup and Champions League.
- Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona and Vissel Kobe): In the whole list, Iniesta is the second player, with whom Villa shared the dressing room thrice. Nobody can forget Iniesta’s contribution to Spain and Barcelona, with the World cup final winning goal and Champions league victory.
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona): Probably the greatest player to ever grace the game, Villa had a fierce partnership with Messi during his years at Barcelona. With 6 FIFA player of the year award, we don’t think Villa had any other better teammate quality-wise.
- Fernando Torres (Spain): Torres along with Villa won World Cup and Euro Cup for Spain. Although, both preferred to play in the same position but yet managed well together for the national team. In the end, both are playing in Japanese league.
