SUMMARY
- Before Ronaldo and Messi's rivalry started, Ronaldo had his rivalry with David Villa during Villa's sting at FC Barcelona.
- Ronaldo's side Portugal faced Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Former Spanish professional soccer player David Villa Sanchez was a striker. Villa is considered one of the greatest Spanish soccer players of all time and one of the best attackers of his period. He is now the all-time leading goalscorer for Spain and serves as the Head of Global Soccer Operations and Technical Advisor for the Indian Super League team Odisha FC.
When Lionel Messi was a player for FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo was a player for Real Madrid, their legendary rivalry began. But Ronaldo had rivals besides the Argentine. The current captain of Al Nassr faced fierce competition from veteran striker David Villa during his three years of playing for Barcelona. Villa’s rivalry with CR7 ignited the already well-known Spain-Portugal rivalry, going beyond the El Clasico at the time.
🔙David Villa ( FC Barcelona Legend) : “I don’t think Ronaldo touched the ball, but without him, it’s not a goal.” pic.twitter.com/mZ8obhNXt3
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) February 25, 2024
Recently, Villa shared his thoughts on a goal that was not allowed to Cristiano Ronaldo against Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup 2022. He said, “I don’t think Ronaldo touched the ball, but without him, it’s not a goal.” The goal was awarded to Bruno Fernandes as Ronaldo did not touch the ball according to UEFA’s technology.
David Villa makes his choice between soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Spanish superstar David Villa recently shared his thoughts on the never-ending argument between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with GOAL, picking the Argentine genius. Over the past fifteen years, an intriguing rivalry has developed between two of the best soccer players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
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David Villa, a former soccer player for Spain who retired from soccer in 2019, was challenged to pick among the two superstars. Villa selected Lionel Messi, his former teammate, without hesitation. David Villa was one of the best players and won many accolades with Barcelona, was also a crucial part of the WC-winning squad for Spain in 2010.
David Villa shares his views on Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Villa was also asked to select between current-generation superstars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland during the same interview. He selected the French striker, Kylian Mbappe who has been exceptional since he made his debut in 2016 and has never looked back since. He went on to win the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and is now regarded as one of the best players in the sport currently.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé will receive a bonus of around €15m if he wins the Ballon d’Or with Real Madrid.
(Source: @footmercato) pic.twitter.com/LDqpmZJQ3x
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 24, 2024
With 59 goals in 98 games, the former Valencia player holds the record for most goals scored in his nation. He was among the best players of his generation. Also, he is the leading scorer for Spain in World Cup history and was a key player of the teams that won the 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.
