Ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semifinal between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, David Villa—the official ambassador for LaLiga—told EFE in an interview that, whether analyzing rationally or speaking from the heart, he firmly believes Atlético will advance to the final.
You played overseas during your career. How would you describe the international recognition of Spanish football?
“The response has been astonishing. I’ve had the privilege of playing in Australia, the United States, and Japan, and I’ve personally witnessed the global influence of LaLiga and Spanish football. Moreover, Spain’s ability to export talent is undeniable—both players and coaches are spreading top-level expertise worldwide. Most importantly, fans abroad eagerly follow LaLiga matches and closely track the performances of Spanish clubs.”
Do you think Spain should invest more in developing homegrown football talent?
“I don’t think so. Spanish football talent is already widely recognized. Whether it’s players, youth coaches, or first-team managers, the quality is world-class. Right now, numerous Spanish coaches are thriving abroad, sharing advanced football philosophies. That’s a great thing—because Spain truly possesses unique and exceptional footballing heritage.”
You remain deeply involved in football today, running a player agency and a football academy… How do you view this new chapter of your career?
“I’m very happy to continue contributing to the sport in this way—football has always been my life’s passion. Now, through my agency and academy, I can support the game from a different angle, and that brings me great satisfaction.”
The match between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao was absolutely thrilling…
“I was on a flight at the time and couldn’t watch the live broadcast—only followed the updates via a scores app. But when Barça plays at that level, they become an unstoppable machine against any opponent. I was once part of that team, and I remain a loyal Blaugrana fan. Seeing them perform like that fills me with genuine joy.”
What’s your take on Ferran Torres? You also wore the Barça jersey, represented Spain, and famously wore the No. 7 shirt…
“I think he’s in excellent form right now. He’s a fantastic player who has consistently worked hard on the pitch for a long time. That kind of stability is crucial in football—especially in the final 30 meters where games are decided. I’m really happy for him and proud to see his steady growth at both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. I hope he keeps this momentum going.”
Today, another of your former clubs, Atlético Madrid, faces Real Madrid. How do you see this match unfolding?
“This will undoubtedly be a colossal clash—a true ‘clash of titans.’ I sincerely hope Atlético wins. I’ve been closely following their games, and in recent Madrid derbies, they’ve caused Real serious problems. So, whether I look at it rationally or emotionally, I believe Atlético can reach Sunday’s final. As a former professional and an ex-Atlético player, my heart naturally leans toward them.”
Do you understand the pressure Xabi Alonso is currently under?
“Absolutely. Anyone who’s played professional football knows how immense the pressure on a manager becomes when results aren’t coming—and how intense the media backlash can be. At a club like Real Madrid, that pressure is magnified. Alonso understands this well; after all, he’s lived through it himself since he was very young.”
You just mentioned pressure. Your other former club, Valencia, is now battling desperately to avoid relegation. What are your thoughts on their situation?
“To be honest, it’s heartbreaking. It pains me deeply to see Valencia in such a state. The club has been stuck in relegation battles for years—but Valencia should be competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona as one of Spain’s traditional powerhouses. I sincerely hope they can quickly turn things around and escape the drop zone.”
Besides Valencia, another club you played for—Real Zaragoza—is also fighting hard for promotion back to the Segunda División…
“That saddens me too—I have deep affection for that club. They’re going through an extremely tough period, and I wish them all the best. They’ve shown glimpses of improvement in recent matches, and I truly hope both Valencia and Zaragoza can overcome their crises soon.”
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