KAWASAKI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) David Villa of Vissel Kobe celebrates the first ... [+]
Former Spain and FC Barcelona legend David Villa has announced his retirement from soccer.
Currently plying his trade in Japan, the 37-year-old revealed his decision in the Far East on Wednesday afternoon after personally calling a press conference.
‘I wanted to leave football and not let football leave me,’ Villa said. ‘I have been thinking [about it] for years. When you pass a certain age, you know that it can come at any time. I have worked my head and with my people to see that it is not simple. Your body does not warn you. This season has reached me more [than others] in saying that it is time. I can put that motto that I have imposed on myself at risk and it is not a decision of one or two days. It has been discussed with the people who I know and who love me and I've [decided to] take it this year,’ explained Villa.
Starring at Vissel Kobe with Andres Iniesta, Villa promised to fight for the Emperors Cup for which they have already reached the semi-finals, with a view to lifting his final trophy on January 2nd before calling it a day.
‘[In] This [next] month and a half we have left, I am very happy to finish by your side,' Villa said to the Barcelona icon, who was in attendance with the rest of their teammates.
KAWASAKI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe celebrates the ... [+]
Together, the pair won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup for Spain. At club level, they were integral part’s of Pep Guardiola’s ‘Tiki-taka’ dynasty and lifted two La Liga titles plus the Champions League alongside one another at the turn of the decade in Blaugrana colours.
Spending a year at Atletico Madrid in 2013-2014 upon leaving the Camp Nou, Villa then headed to the United States and became New York City FC’s first ever signing later joined by fellow modern-day greats such as Andrea Pirlo. Silverware was not forthcoming in the Bronx, but it was stil a successful stint that yielded 80 goals in 124 appearances.
Villa's post-playing days after the conclusion of a glittering 19-year career will continue in the Big Apple at the beginning of 2020. More specifically, in the borough of Queens, where he has a stake in Queensboro FC - set to join the USL in 2021 - while claiming to have financial backing.
‘I lived and played in New York for four years. I know what a special place Queens is,’ explained Villa. ‘I love the cultures, the food, the people and their passion for life and, of course, soccer.’
‘There’s no other place like it in the world,’ Villa claimed. ‘It’s a dream to help build this football club in Queens and I couldn’t choose a better location.’
‘We’ve worked for many years on this. The opportunity to start a brand new team in a city like New York, in a borough like Queens, where the people are as passionate about soccer as I am, is huge.’
‘I'm very happy with my career. I'm very proud. I have loved this sport from the beginning of my life. I have tried to do my best to bring this sport everywhere. And the future now is Queens,’ insisted Villa.
Putting gathered members of the Japanese press’ minds at rest, Villa clarified his exit from the game was not immediate. ‘I’m not retiring [right away]. I’ll retire on January 2 when we win the Emperors Cup in Tokyo,’ he vowed.
