David Villa on Spain, Messi and Winning the World Cup

Spanish legend David Villa reflects on his career, playing with Messi, and the 2010 World Cup triumph.

Spanish football legend David Villa sat down for an exclusive interview to reflect on his illustrious career. As Spain's all-time leading scorer, Villa was a key figure in the golden era that saw La Roja win the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010. He discussed his partnership with Lionel Messi at Barcelona and the unforgettable journey to World Cup glory in South Africa. Villa first recalled the 2008 European Championship, where Spain's tiki-taka style captivated the continent. '2008 was the beginning of everything for us. That team had immense talent and belief in our football philosophy. Beating Germany in the final showed we were on the right path,' he said. Villa scored a hat-trick against Russia in the group stage and finished as top scorer with four goals. Turning to the 2010 World Cup, Villa's eyes lit up. He remembered his crucial goal against Honduras in the group stage and the winner against Portugal in the round of 16. 'We started poorly, losing to Switzerland, but the team showed incredible mental strength. We grew game by game,' he recalled. Villa highlighted the physical and mental battle in the final against the Netherlands, which was decided by Andrés Iniesta's extra-time strike. 'That moment was pure ecstasy. All the hard work paid off.' At Barcelona, Villa formed a deadly partnership with Lionel Messi. 'Messi is unique. Playing with him was a joy. He sees passes that no one else can, and his timing is perfect. We had an unspoken understanding,' Villa said. He also praised Messi's work ethic, noting that the Argentine was always the first to arrive at training. Villa also spoke about the legacy of Spanish football. He attributed the success of 2008-2012 to a strong youth system and a unified tactical philosophy. 'La Masia and the national youth teams all emphasized possession and passing. This allowed the senior team to play seamlessly. Young players today must continue this style.' Looking ahead, Villa is enjoying retirement but remains involved in football through his own academy. 'Football gave me everything, and now I want to give back. Seeing young players develop is like watching myself years ago,' he said. Concluding the interview, Villa summarized his career: 'I achieved every dream—winning the World Cup, European Championships, Champions League, and La Liga. But the most precious memories are the moments shared with teammates. Football is a team sport; without them, I am nothing.'

David Villa on Spain, Messi and Winning the World Cup

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