David Villa
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David Villa | ||
Personal information | ||
---|---|---|
Full name | David Villa Sánchez | |
Date of birth | December 3, 1981 | |
Place of birth | Langreo, Asturias, Spain | |
Height | 1.74 m | |
Nickname | El Guaje | |
Position | Striker | |
Club information | ||
Current club | Valencia | |
Number | 7 | |
Youth clubs | ||
1991–1999 1999–2000 |
UP Langreo Sporting de Gijón B |
|
Professional clubs* | ||
Years | Club | Apps (goals) |
2000–2003 2003–2005 2005–current |
Sporting de Gijon Real Zaragoza Valencia |
80 (38) 81 (35) 44 (29) |
National team** | ||
2005–present | Spain | 18 (9) |
* Professional club appearances and goals |
David Villa Sánchez (born December 3, 1981 in Langreo, Asturias, Spain) nicknamed El Guaje (The Kid in Asturian) is a Spanish football player, who currently plays for Valencia CF and the Spanish national side. Due to his outstanding finishing skills, pace, well-roundedness (he can score from seemingly any position with both his head and feet) and work ethic, he is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in La Liga and in the world. David Villa reputation seems to have flourished ever since his groundbreaking season with Valencia last season.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early career
He started his career in 1991 with UP Langreo. In 1999 he moved to Sporting de Gijón until he was signed in La Liga by Real Zaragoza in 2003. After two very sucessfull years with Zaragoza, Villa transferred to Valencia CF in the summer of 2005 for 12million euros.
[edit] Valencia CF
In the 2005-06 season, he was in top form for Valencia, scoring 25 goals in 35 league matches, to finish one goal behind top scorer Samuel Eto'o of FC Barcelona. He scored his first hat-trick for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao on 23 April 2006.
[edit] Spain National Team
Villa was included in Spain's 23 man squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and was favoured over the more established Raúl, to line up alongside Fernando Torres in the opening match with Ukraine. Villa scored twice (one a penalty) in this game, in his first World Cup finals appearance. He added one more from the penalty spot in Spain's 1-3 defeat to France in a Round of 16 knockout match. He finished joint 2nd top goal scorer for Spain in World Cup 2006 with 3 goals.
[edit] Honours
[edit] Real Zaragoza
- Copa del Rey 2004
- Spanish Super Cup 2004
[edit] Personal Life
Villa is married to Patricia and has a daughter named Zaida who was born on December 7, 2005.
[edit] External links
- SkySports World Cup Profile
- David Villa great goals video
- Spain stats
- http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7294
Spain squad - 2006 FIFA World Cup | ||
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1 Casillas | 2 Salgado | 3 Pernía | 4 Marchena | 5 Puyol | 6 Albelda | 7 Raúl | 8 Xavi | 9 Torres | 10 Reyes | 11 García | 12 López | 13 Iniesta | 14 Alonso | 15 Ramos | 16 Senna | 17 Joaquín | 18 Fàbregas | 19 Cañizares | 20 Juanito | 21 Villa | 22 Pablo | 23 Reina | Coach: Aragonés |
Valencia CF - Current Squad |
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1 Cañizares | 2 Miguel | 3 Del Horno | 4 Ayala | 5 Marchena | 6 Albelda | 7 Villa | 8 Baraja | 9 Morientes | 10 Angulo | 11 Regueiro | 12 Tavano | 13 Mora | 14 Vicente | 15 Joaquín | 16 Viana | 17 Navarro | 18 Jorge López | 19 Gavilán | 20 Albiol | 21 Silva | 22 Edu | 23 Torres | 24 Moretti | 25 Butelle | 26 Cerra | 27 Pablo | 28 Nacho Insa | 29 Córcoles | 30 Ñíguez | 31 Pallardó | Coach: Flores |
Categories: 1981 births | Living people | Spain international footballers | Spanish footballers | La Liga footballers | Valencia CF footballers | Real Zaragoza footballers | Sporting de Gijón footballers | FIFA World Cup 2006 players | FIFA World Cup goalscorers | Football (soccer) strikers | Asturian people