David Villa: Gonzalo is a fantastic striker and has seized every opportunity

David Villa has been everything in Spanish football. Today he is still involved with the sport but also a proud father after his son scored a decisive goal in LaLiga Futures for Atletico to eliminate Real Madrid in the U12 competition. In Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), he sits down with Diario AS to talk about the current state of Spanish football, the Spanish Super Cup and, as we know, if Villa speaks, it’s worth listening.

What is David Villa’s life like today?

A little bit of everything, but above all, having time for my family, enjoying myself, and also contributing to football in my own way. My time is occupied by my representation agency, especially the academies and all the ambassadorial work I do with LaLiga, FIFA, and the clubs I’ve played for here in Spain and abroad. Above all, it’s about trying to balance work with having time for my family; that’s paramount for me at this stage of my life.

Tell me about Barça, what are your thoughts on them after the brushed Athletic aside in the first semi-final?

Well, it was really good. I couldn’t watch the match because I was on the plane, but I can imagine how it went with that score. And honestly, when they play like that, they’re unstoppable. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. And as a Barça fan, it’s always great to see them play like that.

If there’s an authoritative voice to speak about the Spanish striker, it’s you. What’s your thoughts on Real Madrid breakthrough star Gonzalo?

I think he’s a very young lad with fantastic qualities, and above all, what I like most is that he’s ready to seize any opportunity he gets, just like he’s doing. I think he’s a great striker. He’s proving it, and, I’ll say it again, what I like most about him is that he’s a player who’s ready. He’s been sidelined for a long time, obviously due to decisions not by the coach, but regarding the strikers at Real Madrid; and whenever a striker has been unavailable, he’s taken advantage of the opportunity. That’s commendable and speaks volumes about him as a striker and as a player.

Do you see him at the World Cup?

I think it’s very good for the coach and for Spanish football that we have so many options. Not just up front, but in every position. And ultimately, I have complete confidence in the coach to decide who the best players can be to represent us at the World Cup.

Gonzalo is dominating a debate that Morata seems to have been forgotten about. Have you forgotten about him too?

No, not at all. I wouldn’t swear to it, but nobody connected to the national team has forgotten about Álvaro. He’s the captain. He’s a crucial player, even though he’s going through a tough time scoring goals, a goal drought. But he’s a vital player and everyone takes him into account. I’ll say it again, he’s just one of the team. I think the coach values him highly, and we all do. There’s still a long way to go in the competition. Football can change overnight. You might be in a bad run, and then in a week you score four goals and everything changes. And I think that’s the mentality Álvaro has right now. Or that’s what I would tell him: ‘Stay calm, there are many months left, and what seems black now can turn white later,’ and he’s working towards that.

The other hot topic surrounding the national team is the goalkeeping position. What are your thoughts on Joan García’s chances?

You’re asking me this question as if it were a bad thing, but it’s not at all. I wish we had 15 goalkeepers or 15 players in each position to choose from. I think it’s a very good thing. I think it makes the selection more difficult for the national team coach, but he’s absolutely delighted to have that choice. And for all Spaniards, it’s wonderful that we have so many options, not just in goal, as has been the case in recent weeks, but in every position.

Can your team be compared to the current one?

It’s difficult to compare. So many years have passed, so many generations, and it’s neither easy nor, I think, a good idea to compare them. I think they’re a great team. They’ve proven it. They’re proving it in every match they play. They’re the current European champions, and I think they have more than enough talent to do very well and, why not, win that second star.

Your son Luca scored a decisive goal against Real Madrid in LaLiga Futures. What advice do you give him?

Above all, I want him to enjoy football. He’s at an age to enjoy himself, to have fun, to enjoy competing, to try his best every time. But he’s a child, and what he needs to do right now is be happy and enjoy this sport he’s chosen. I try to be there for him, I try to be with him, and that’s about it. In the end, we don’t know what the outcome will be, because becoming a professional footballer is so difficult, and he needs to be aware of how hard it is. But as long as he’s enjoying himself, as long as he’s having fun, and as long as he’s passionate about what he’s doing, I’m incredibly happy to be with him and support him.

Where will we see Villa in the future?

I’m trying to enjoy what I mentioned at the beginning: combining work in football with family life, making sure it doesn’t stop me from enjoying my family, especially things with my children, and just moving forward. The truth is, I don’t have any future plans beyond enjoying myself and trying to keep things as they are now.