Background
Was born in a small village Tuilla in Langreo, Asturias, Spain.
Was born in a small village Tuilla in Langreo, Asturias, Spain.
David Villa attended schooling at Union Popular de Langreo where began following football as a career. Then he transfered to the Mareo Football School at the age of 17.
At the age of 4 however, David was too close to lose chances to make his dream come true because of a hard injury but he was fortunate to recover completely. He began his professional career with FC Sporting de Gijon.
Since early childhood David has wanted to become a football player. Jose Manuel Villa, David’s father, supported his son's dream of becoming a footballer. When a 4-year -old David suffered a fracture to the femur in his right leg, his father never let Villa junior give up the goal. Having recovered, father and son worked hard on strengthening David’s left leg. That’s how he became ambidextrous.
David Villa debuted as a professional football player at his local FC Real Sporting de Gijón in the 2000-01 season and scored 25 goals. He was playing for 2 seasons at Sporting de Gijon but had to leave it because of financial difficulties of the football club.
David was transferred to Real Zaragoza FC where scored 17 goals during his first season there. In 2004 Villa with the very team won Copa del Rey (King’s Cup). David took pains to reach the cup and was awarded for that: he got his first international call-up.
On 9 February 2005 David debuted in a 2006 World Cup Qualifier where Spain defeated San Marino 5-0. Then Villa got the call to represent Spain at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
In 2005 David Villa left for FC Valencia because of financial difficulties of Real Zaragoza. Since the very beginning Villa lived up to expectations: he scored his first goal in a Valencia shirt during his first game within the team.
In the 2006-07 season David debuted in UEFA Champions league. He managed to score 16 goals.
The next 2007-08 season had a bit hard beginning for the whole team because of changes in the team’s personnel. David had only one appearance within the Champions League season which FC Valencia left rather rapidly.
In 2008 David as a part of the Spanish National Football team won UEFA European Cup. Then he continued his successful season by scoring more and more goals. Valencia finished second in their UEFA Cup group.
The 2009-10 turned out to be the last for Villa in a Valencia shirt. That year he scored more goals than any other footballer, 43 goals in 54 games across all competitions for Spain and Valencia. On 4 May 2010, Valencia played against Xerez what became the last game David played for FC Valencia.
The year of 2010 was significant for not only David but football history itself. The Spanish National Football team managed to conquer the World Cup by beating the Netherlands in the final. Villa was awarded the Silver Shoe although the Gold Shoe went to Thomas Muller. Both players had five goals however, Muller had more assists. Villa was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.
On 19 May 2010 FC Barcelona reached an agreement with FC Valencia concerning the transfer of Villa to Catalonian club. Thus David managed to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Luis Enrique and Quini, both of whom started careers at Real Sporting Gijon and ended up at FC Barcelona.
David Villa has been playing for FC Barcelona for 3 years already. He wears number 7 for both Spain and Barcelona shirts.
2005-06 Season - Spanish Player of the Year.
2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10 Season - Zarra Trophy.
2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 Seasons - FC Valencia Top Scorer.
2006-07 Season - La Liga's Top Assisting Player.
Man of the Match Spain vs Russia, Spain vs Sweden Euro 2008.
Man of the Match Spain vs Honduras World Cup 2010.
Spain all time top scorer: 51 goals.
Spain's all time top scorer in Fédération internationale de football association World Cup matches.
Most goals scored in one World Cup (by a Spanish international): 5.
Most goals scored in one calendar year (by a Spanish international): 12 (2008-2009).
Largest streak of games having scored (by a Spanish international): 6.
David hasn’t told about his personal religious views, but given that he’s a Spaniard, it is likely that he, or at least members of his family, have something to do with the Catholic tradition.
Quotations: 'I’m really happy, lively, content, and eager. I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and keen on enjoying football again from within'.
David says that his hobby is spending time with his family and watching movies. Another interesting fact is that no doubt that David is a great footballer. However he is also a very good singer. In 2010 he worked with a Grammy Award-nominated Spanish singer Ana Torroja on the song ‘Insurrection’.
The couple have known each other since their childhood. When a teenager, Patricia was also a footballer.
The girl was named after the close friend of Patricia's, the wife of Fernando Torres
