New York FC striker David Villa has broken his silence over why he left the Catalans in 2013 and recalls the 5-0 Clasico win as one of the best days of his life.
Villa joined Barcelona in the summer of 2010 and scored 33 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2013. Villa, Spain’s all time top scorer with 59 goals, was one of the most prolific strikers at his peek.
‘I left Barcelona due to lack of playing time’
After suffering a few major injuries, it was difficult for Villa to break into the Barcelona side again. When he realized he wasn’t going to be a regular starter in Pep Guardiola’s side, the 34-year-old revealed that he decided to move on.
“I just decided to leave because I had lost my starting spot.” I have had a lot of luck [with injuries], but that was very serious,” the Spaniard was quoted as saying by goal.com.
“I suffered with that injury, I learned a lot, when you are not used to it you think it is easier. I did not feel like a footballer because I went to games but I was in the dressing room or the stands.
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“The easy path would have been staying at Barcelona, to keep winning titles, prestige and reputation, but I wanted to be on the pitch. I looked for a way out. “
Villa recalls the 5-0 El Clasico win
David Villa’s favourite times at Barcelona came in his first few days at the club when Barcelona thumped Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid 5-0 in 2010. Villa scored twice that evening, and admits it was one of the happiest days of his life
“It was my first Clasico and we were a little behind Madrid, and I had gone a month without scoring,” he recalled.
“5-0, I scored twice and it was one of the happiest days of my life.”
Should Barcelona sign David Villa on loan again?
While everyone is head over heals for Barcelona’s South American trio, what Barcelona must not ignore is the lack of options to replace Neymar, Messi and Suarez. Suarez hasn’t had injury issues this season, but if Barcelona are looking to defend their treble, they must improve their bench strength. With the MLS on break, signing David Villa on loan wouldn’t be entirely off the table for the Blaugrana.
