David Villa

Ex-Barcelona star David Villa to retire at end of season, says he wanted to go on own terms, 'not be forced to retire'

Star striker David Villa, Spain's top goal scorer, announced on Wednesday he was quitting professional football at the end of the season.

LaLiga: Carles Perez scores brace to power Barcelona to victory over Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe in pre-season friendly

As Kobe's Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper were all reunited with their former team Barcelona, it was Perez who stole the limelight with a top-class double

Vissel Kobe's Andres Iniesta says he will relish the 'honour' of facing former club Barcelona in friendly clash

World Cup-winning Iniesta, who lifted 32 major trophies with Barcelona, signed for Kobe last May in a historic J-League deal worth a reported $30 million a year. The 34-year-old was appointed the team's captain in April.

Fernando Torres to retire after Japan reunion with Spanish compatriots Andres Iniesta, David Villa

Fernando Torres will retire for good after taking on Andres Iniesta and David Villa in a J-League match on 23 August. His side Sagan Tosu currently sit bottom of the J-League with four wins from 16 matches.

LaLiga: Lionel Messi has always shown everybody that he is best player ever, says former Barcelona teammate David Villa

Lionel Messi is the best player ever and Barcelona owe their success to their evolution to a more direct style from a possession-based passing game, the club’s former player David Villa has said.

David Villa scores first J-League goal as Vissel Kobe beat Fernando Torres' Sagan Tosu

Before signing with Vissel Kobe, former Barcelona striker David Villa spent four seasons with New York City FC, scoring 80 goals in 124 MLS appearances

Spanish striker David Villa to join former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta at J-League club Vissel Kobe

David Villa is the latest high-profile acquisition by Vissel in the western Japanese port city of Kobe. The outfit is owned by Japanese tech billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani.

Premier League: Unai Emery set to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager, claims report

Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery looks set to become Arsene Wenger's successor after 22 years as Arsenal manager, the BBC reported on Monday

La Liga: Valencia host table toppers Barcelona in a bid to stake claim as serious title contenders

Valencia trail Barcelona by four points at the top of the table as the Catalans have amassed 34 points from a possible 36.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Italy's Gianluigi Buffon says he is not affected by criticism after Spain loss

Italy and Juventus' veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said he is not affected by criticism of his performance after the 3-0 drubbing by Spain in the European zone qualifying match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.