Not even a life threatening childhood accident could stop David Villa, Spanish National Football Team’s fierce striker, to continue playing what he loves the most—football. This early injury became a blessing in disguise, as he was able to train by dribbling and nailing the goal with his weaker left leg. His father taught him how to use the unaffected leg to his advantage. He could not stand seeing his 4-year old son suffering but knew that he loved the sport so much that he would not stop playing. It was this dedication that made David Villa a lethal ambidextrous football player.
Villa is currently playing for Barcelona and he’s one of their most aggressive strikers and best finishers. During the early stages of his career, aside from the injury that almost impeded him from touching the ball again, Villa was given a minor role with Real Oviedo. These incidents almost convinced the young talented Villa to quit and give up on his dreams. However, the turn of fate led him to Sporting de Gijon. He became part of the club’s youth training team and made his first appearance with the team in the 2000-2001 season. The striker showed what he is capable of as he fired in 25 goals in just two seasons, which was enough to influence their coach to place him at the starting team permanently.
During the summer of 2003, he signed a deal worth €3million for Real Zaragoza when Sporting de Gijon met financial obscurities. Feeling comfortable and at home with his new team, he went on to fire a total of 17 goals in his first season with the team. Villa became very popular among the Spanish crowd as he scored a crucial goal against Real Madrid. Zaragoza went on to bag the 2004 Copa Del Rey crown. He played on his first International European competition in the 2004-2005 UEFA Cup.
In 2005, Zaragoza also met financial troubles and they were forced to unload David Villa, who signed a €13 million deal with the Spanish Giant Club Valencia. In his stint with the team, he was able to win another Copa Del Rey title in the 2007-2008 Season. His stellar performances impressed Spanish National Team Coach Luis Aragones and he was designated to the 23-man squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
On the road to South Africa for the qualifying rounds of 2010 FIFA World Cup, Villa became the hero who will always refuse to give up the fight. The team easily dispatched Armenia and Estonia out of the competition. However, they were challenged in their next matches and had to step up their game to earn a spot in the most prestigious competition in the World of Football. In their game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Villa powered on and clinched the lone goal of the game to snatch a 1-0 victory. He also had a heroic feat in their game against Belgium when he nailed a goal in the 88th minute mark of the game that sealed Spain’s amazing comeback from a one goal deficit to win the match, 2-1.
Villa and the rest of the Spanish National Football Team opened their World Cup campaign against Switzerland. Tagged as one of the favorites to win the title, Spain was expected to dominate the Swiss Team but they were caught unguarded as Switzerland pulled off a stunning 1-0 win against the much-favored Spain.
Spain will next face Honduras and Villa knows that their backs are against the wall but he remains confident that they will still have the chance to win the title in this year’s World Cup.