Villa: Spain are favorites to win the World Cup, we never rely on one star

Hupu November 13 News Villa is a sacred name in the history of Spanish football. He scored 59 goals for the national team and is the top scorer in the history of the Spanish team. But it wasn't just this impressive stat that made Villa a legend, because the man who wore the No. 7 jersey was a former European and world champion. Now he gave an interview to Marca and showed off the Spanish national team's new jersey. During this period, Villa talked about the current situation of life today, the Spanish national team, and Yamal. The following is the first half of the interview.

How is life now?

To be honest, it's very good. I'm happy that I prioritize my family, especially before my kids grow up and leave home. I am also doing some things with my team, dealing with DV7 Group affairs, investing a lot of time, especially in the football academy that I am most passionate about. I am happy and enjoying my free time and life.

Don’t you miss football?

There are moments when I think about it, but to be honest, I am very lucky to have been able to play football for so many years. I retired with the idea that I wanted to leave and move on to the next phase of my life. Sometimes you do want to satisfy your cravings, but I'm really enjoying another phase now where there's still a lot of football elements but the excitement is different from when I was a player.

Are you still watching the game?

I watch football differently now, if I have family or college matters to attend to, I usually don't prioritize watching the game. If I have free time, I watch it, otherwise I do something else.

Have you never been interested in coaching?

No, I don’t think so. To become a coach one must have passion, desire and above all a willingness to learn. Playing football and coaching are completely different and I never felt that calling, either while playing or after I retired. In fact, I didn’t even take the coaching license because I knew very well: This was not the career I wanted to pursue.

When you watch a game, do you analyze it from a player's perspective?

No, more relaxed, just enjoying. I try to focus on my old clubs and because I live in Madrid I go to the Metropolitano a lot. I just enjoy football purely and don't imagine myself on the pitch or think about what could have been done. I just enjoy this sport that I'm passionate about.

You are wearing the national team jersey...Is the current national team like yours?

I've always said comparisons are bad and trying to compare players isn't helpful. I think this national team is a great team, they have a great squad, not that I’m saying that, but they prove it every time they play. They have a lot of very important players, but the collective synergy is also very good. They have defeated powerful opponents and won the European Cup on their own merit. Regardless of whether it looks like it or not, this is an excellent national team that has a good chance of doing well in the World Cup.

It's hard not to compare, although the styles are indeed different, aren't they?

Football is changing. Years passed and everything evolved. There may be similar players, especially in the midfield, who focus on possession, advance quickly from the wings and have good wingers. But I won't spend too much time comparing the two national teams. I prefer to enjoy the one we have now. Unfortunately, the old one is not coming back.

Spain may not have Mbappe, Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, but the key is still in the midfield.

Yes, we have never been a team that relies on a single star. When we achieve our best results, we rely on the team and possession of the ball. This is our identity. If this brings us championships, why change it?

The first game of the World Cup is always nerve-wracking. If you can win the championship in the end, will you accept losing the first game?

(Laughs) Anyone will accept that Argentina also lost at the beginning and then won the championship. Of course it's best to start with a win, but losing the first game is welcome if someone guarantees you will win in the end.

Do you think Spain is close to the second star?

It is complicated to say "nearly" because winning the World Cup is not easy. But yes, Spain is definitely one of the favourites. Not because I say so, but because their performance on the field proves it, they are one of the favorites to win the championship. I don’t think the pressure of being the favorite is going to crush them. We were also considered the strongest in 2010. However, except for the one against Honduras, we narrowly won all our games and there were several games where we could have lost. That's the hard part about the World Cup: not only do you need to be stronger, you also need to be in good form for seven consecutive games (and now even more under the new format). Nonetheless, yes, I think there is a chance because we have great players, a strong team, a coach with a clear mind and a coaching staff capable of earning the second star.