David Villa: “I don’t know who will replace me as the team’s top scorer: Ferran, Morata, Yamal…”

Despite being retired for four years, he is still the top scorer in the history of the national team, with 59 goals in 98 games. The former Atletico, Barca, Valencia…

His 20 years as a professional footballer are significant. And although he has long since put away his boots, El Guaje has not gained a single kilo. “I have even lost a little weight,” he says after presenting the Salvavidas campaign to prevent cardiovascular risks by reducing bad cholesterol through physical activity.

“To be healthy, you need to do 15 to 20 minutes of sport a day,” says the ambassador of the campaign carried out by the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Atherosclerosis Society, the Spanish Cardiology Foundation (FEC) and the FEC Patient Platform, in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo.

Have you ever been scared by your heart on the field or in training?

No, fortunately not. We’ve always had a lot of challenges, especially in pre-season when you put in a lot more physical effort.

What costs you more: diet or exercise?

For me, playing sports every day is a way of life. Some days the desire is less, some days it is more, but I always try to engage in physical activity. As for diet, the same thing. It’s true that there are times when I’m with friends or you go out to eat and maybe you don’t take care of yourself as much, but when I’m at home I also try to eat healthy.

What dish can’t you live without?

I try to eat everything, eat well and take care of myself, especially now that I’m retired. I used to do it as a footballer, but now with more persistence. With my children I eat pizza, a hamburger, I do it from time to time. I don’t think it’s a bad thing because other parts of the body need to be fed, like the mind.

How do you see the choice?

Very good, really. They showed us that they can beat anyone, and that’s very important. It’s very difficult to win the European Championship, you have to trust them and support them first of all.

Do you think any footballer will soon replace you as the top scorer in the history of the national team? Who’s in your pools?

This will definitely happen, if not with this generation, then with another. Someday it will happen. I can’t say who, but I’m convinced of it.

But he doesn’t get wet when he says the names…

No, anyone, they are very young. Ferran is only 24 years old and has scored 20 goals, Morata still has a lot of time in the national team, Lamine Yamal is 16 years old and is expected to spend many years in the national team… It’s not because I don’t get wet, it’s just that I realize that one day it will happen.

Who do you think Atlético should sign next season?

I couldn’t tell you. I know very well the people who work at Atleti and how they operate, both on a sporting and institutional level, and I am confident that they will make a great team. Support them and enjoy them because they deserve it.

How much time per week do you devote to sports and what sports do you play?

Four years into retirement, I still exercise daily. I try to exercise every day, when I have more time I dedicate more hours to it, and if I have less time I try to do a short activity. I do a little bit of everything. I swim, run, bike, paddle, play tennis…

What about football? When was the last time you played the game with your friends?

I play from time to time. I sometimes played with legends, with friends, but organizing a football match is more difficult than running in front of the house. The last time was at Rayo’s centenary.