David Villa explains why he never joined Real Madrid, Valencia had final say | OneFootball

David Villa has explained why he never joined Real Madrid, reflecting on years of interest from Spain’s two giants during his time at Valencia.

"Every summer of my career was the same, Real Madrid, Barcelona, offers from everywhere. In the end I had a contract and Valencia had to accept, and they said no," he told the podcast Bajo los Palos in conversation with Iker Casillas.

Interest grew after his first Valencia season, when he scored 28 goals, 25 in LaLiga. "Nobody put a gun to my head to sign a contract in football. You have to fulfil it if they do not say otherwise."

"Did Madrid and Barça want Villa? Yes. Did they want to pay? Yes. Did Valencia accept? No, that is it. I was very comfortable in Valencia and happy."

"I am not going to be a hypocrite, did I want to play for a top team? Yes. But I was at Valencia with a contract and stayed until the club said they had to sell, as happened in summer 2010 to go to Barça."

Barcelona signed him for €40 million. He played three seasons, then spent one at Atlético Madrid before moving to New York City, briefly joining Melbourne City on loan, and later retiring in 2020 with Vissel Kobe. He is Spain's record scorer with 59 goals in 98 caps.

Source: Superdeporte