David Villa's 59 Goals
Spain's all-time top scorer and World Cup winner.
David Villa Sánchez (born 3 December 1981) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the all-time top goalscorer of the Spain national team. He is currently the vice-president of Spanish Tercera Federación club CF Benidorm and a member of the Board of Directors of La Liga club Atlético Madrid.
- Major Honours
- Euro 2008, WC 2010
Lore & Background
Nicknamed El Guaje (The Kid in Asturian) due to a reputation of playing football with children much older than him, Villa sustained a serious injury as a child but managed to start his professional career with Sporting de Gijón in 2001. He moved to Real Zaragoza after two seasons, where he made his La Liga debut, and won the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España. He joined Valencia in 2005 for a transfer fee of €12 million and captured another Copa del Rey title. After a five-season tenure in Valencia, he signed for Barcelona for €40 million in 2010. In his first season, he won his first La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, scoring in the 2011 final. He left the club in 2013 after transferring to Atlético Madrid, where he won another La Liga title and reached the 2014 UEFA Champions League final. After a single season in the Spanish capital, Villa departed to join new MLS franchise New York City, where he became the club's record goalscorer and appearance maker, winning the MLS MVP Award for best player in 2016. In 2018, Villa announced his departure from New York, to join Vissel Kobe in Japan before retiring in 2020.
In Their Own Story
The roar of Soccer City faded into a distant hum as David Villa stood near the halfway line, breathing heavily in the South African heat. The whistle had just blown on the final match of the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal. He looked at his boots, stained with the red dust of the pitch, then raised his arms to the sky. Five goals in this tournament. The Golden Boot was already around his neck in spirit, even before the ceremony. This wasn't just about personal glory; it was about etching Spain's name into history books forever.
Reader's Guide
Villa made his international debut for Spain in 2005. He participated in four major tournaments, and was an integral member of the Spain teams that won UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup, was the top scorer at Euro 2008, and earned the Silver Boot at the 2010 World Cup. His displays for Spain and Valencia saw him named in the FIFPro World XI and UEFA Team of the Year for 2010. Having scored at the 2014 World Cup, Villa established himself as Spain's top scorer in World Cup history, with nine goals. He became the first Spanish player to ever reach 50 international goals and, after a brief comeback in 2017, he retired from the national team with 59 goals in 98 matches.
Did You Know?
- Villa was born in Tuilla, a small parish in Langreo, Asturias, the son of a miner.
- He suffered a fracture to the femur in his right leg at age four but made a complete recovery.
- Villa came close to giving up football at age 14 but persisted due to his parents' encouragement.
- He scored a hat-trick for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao in just over five minutes in 2006.
- Villa is the all-time top goalscorer of the Spain national team with 59 goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored these 59 goals for Spain?
David Villa Sanchez holds the historic record as the male player with the most strikes in national team history. He is affectionately known by fans as 'El Guapo' due to his prolific scoring ability.
What position did he play while scoring them?
Villa served as La Roja's main striker, acting as the forward engine behind their success. His sharp finishing fit perfectly alongside the midfield control provided by Xavi and Iniesta.
When did this goal-scoring run take place?
He made his international debut in 2005 and continued until his retirement from international duty. This timeline coincides with Spain's peak run of dominance on the global stage.
Which trophies were won during this period?
His contributions were central to ending decades without major trophies, securing Euro 2008, WC 2010, and Euro 2012. These victories cemented his status within the Golden Generation that grabbed global eyes.
Why is this record considered a historic achievement?
The tally showcases the attacking fire of Spanish football during its most successful era ever. It remains a benchmark for future strikers hoping to represent the nation at the highest level.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the Spain National Team universe
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