David Villa to retire at end of J-League season

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

El Guaje is set to hang up his boots

Former Barcelona striker David Villa has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season.

The striker took to Twitter to announce he will be hanging up his boots when he finishes the J-League season with Vissel Kobe in January.

After 19 years as a professional, I have decided to retire from playing football at the end of this season. Thank you to all the teams, coaches and teammates that have allowed me to enjoy this dreamed career. Thank you to my family, that has always been there to support me. pic.twitter.com/E82vb3tNwT

— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) November 13, 2019

It is my objective to put the cherry on top by winning the Emperor’s Cup with @visselkobe on January 1st. From then on, I will continue to enjoy football through all the projects that we’re currently developing with DV7 group. Thank you for all the love.

— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) November 13, 2019

Villa spent three seasons at Barcelona after joining from Valencia and won La Liga twice, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League with the Blaugrana. He left for Atletico Madrid in 2013 and then enjoyed a spell at New York City before heading to Japan.

He was also part of the Spain team that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup and bagged 59 goals in 88 appearances, making him La Roja’s all-time top goalscorer.

Source: barcablaugranes.com