It has been many years since David Villa last stepped onto the pitch wearing a Barcelona shirt, but his emotional connection to the club remains as strong as ever. The former striker, who played a ke...
It has been many years since David Villa last stepped onto the pitch wearing a Barcelona shirt, but his emotional connection to the club remains as strong as ever.
The former striker, who played a key role during one of the most successful periods in Barça’s history, recently shared his views on some of football’s greatest figures, and his words once again placed Lionel Messi at the very top of the game.
In a recent interaction, the former World Cup winner was asked to reflect on three separate but related questions: the best player he has ever played with, the best player he has ever faced, and the best player in the world today.
Messi still the best
Speaking to El Chiringuito (h/t Mundo Deportivo), he left no room for debate when he said,
“Without a doubt. By far. I still say that until he retires, Messi will continue to be the best player in the world.”
Despite Messi no longer wearing the Blaugrana colours, his legacy at the club and his influence on modern football remain unmatched.
For someone like Villa, who shared the dressing room with Messi and witnessed his impact up close, the argument does not even require discussion.
The former striker also took time to reflect on other figures who shaped his career and left a lasting mark on Barcelona’s history.
Villa has nothing but praise for Carles Puyol. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
When asked about the toughest defender he ever encountered, Villa pointed to another familiar name from the Barça dressing room.
“Carles Puyol is the most difficult defender to dribble past,” he said.
Praise for Luis Enrique
Villa’s admiration was not limited to players alone. He also spoke warmly about one of Barcelona’s most influential figures, both on the pitch and on the touchline.
Reflecting on his early days in football and the people who inspired him, Villa reserved special praise for Luis Martínez.
Speaking about the current PSG coach, he admitted, “He was my idol.”
Finally, when asked to choose the most important goal of his career, Villa selected his strike in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley, a night when Barcelona outclassed Manchester United.
Among goals scored by teammates, he highlighted Andres Iniesta’s iconic finish in the 2010 World Cup final, a moment that delivered Spain’s first and only World Cup title.
Category: General Sports
