Former Barcelona and Valencia striker, David Villa, has decided that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
According to the Spanish professional footballer who plays for Japanese club, Vissel Kobe, alongside andres iniesta, will retire once the current J-League season finishes.
The 37-year-old is Spain’s top scorer with 59 goals in 98 games, with four of those coming at Euro 2008 where he won the Golden Boot and was named in the team of the tournament.
Villa won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 with Spain, and the Champions League in 2011 with Barcelona.
Sharing the news on social media, he wrote: “After 19 years as a professional, I have decided to retire from playing football at the end of this season.
“Thank you to all the teams, coaches and team-mates that have allowed me to enjoy this dream career.
“Thank you to my family, that has always been there to support me through good and hard times. It is my objective to put the cherry on top by winning the Emperor’s Cup with Vissel Kobe on January 1st.
“From then on, I will continue to enjoy football through all the projects that we’re currently developing with DV7 group. Thank you for all the love.”
Following his retirement, Villa will be a lead investor in a new United States football franchise, Queensboro FC in New York, who will enter the second tier of US football from 2021.
