David Villa on Spain's World Cup Chances and Playing with Messi

World Cup winner and Spain's all-time leading goalscorer David Villa appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast to share his insights on Spain's recent performances and their chances at the ongoing World Cup. Villa, who was part of Spain's triumphant 2010 squad, joined host Rick Edwards alongside analysts Guillem Balague and Dion Dublin.

Spain's Statement Victory Over Austria

Villa reflected on Spain's impressive 2-0 victory over Austria, calling it a strong statement of intent. He expressed confidence that the current squad has what it takes to go all the way in the tournament. The former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker highlighted the team's cohesion and tactical discipline as key factors in their success.

Mikel Oyarzabal's Importance

Discussing the current squad, Villa singled out Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal for praise. He described Oyarzabal as a crucial player for Spain, noting his versatility, work rate, and ability to score important goals. Villa emphasized that Oyarzabal's contributions often go beyond the scoresheet.

Memories of Playing with Lionel Messi

Villa also shared his experiences of playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona. He described Messi as an extraordinary talent and a humble teammate, recalling how Messi's vision and creativity made him the best player in the world. Villa noted that playing with Messi elevated his own game and taught him the value of teamwork.

What It Takes to Win the World Cup

Drawing from his own experience in 2010, Villa outlined the qualities required to win football's biggest prize: unity, resilience, and a strong mentality. He stressed that every player must be fully committed to the team's cause and that luck also plays a role. Villa also offered words of encouragement for England, saying, 'I believe in them,' while acknowledging the challenges they face.

Golden Boot and the New Ball

When asked about the Golden Boot race, Villa noted that the tournament's new ball has been a talking point among strikers. He explained that the ball's flight characteristics require adjustments in shooting technique, but top players will adapt quickly.

Portugal vs. Croatia Drama

Later in the episode, Dion Dublin joined the panel to analyze Spain's victory and the dramatic finish to Portugal's clash with Croatia. A late equalizer by Croatia was ruled out by VAR after a lengthy review, sparking debate. Dublin and Balague discussed the implications for both teams and the growing influence of VAR in high-stakes matches.

The episode also covered other World Cup storylines, with the panel providing expert analysis on the tournament's early stages.