NYCFC striker David Villa holding out hope for future Spain call up

New York City FC striker David Villa is still hopeful of being called up to the Spanish national team, despite not being included in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Ukraine and their friendly in the Netherlands four days later.

Villa is just three games away from his 100th cap and Del Bosque has admitted the striker is still under consideration for future selection.

“Of course we’re still thinking about him,” Del Bosque said on Tuesday. “For us he’s still a national team player, so David Villa can still play his 100th game. On him specifically, you have to be thankful with someone like him, who’s done so much for the national team.

“There are always exceptional cases and one of them is David.”

Villa is the top scorer in La Roja’s history with 59 international goals. The 33-year-old is now plying his trade in Major League Soccer and has started all three games during New York City FC’s inaugural season.

Today, the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker said he was “happy” to still be under consideration for the Spanish national team and is ready to return to La Roja whenever he is called on by Vicente del Bosque.

“I’m happy. I’m really happy that he’s still thinking about me and calling me up and I hope I can do a good job in New York City so that he can consider an opportunity to come back to the national team,” Villa said.

The NYCFC player was then asked his thoughts about scoring the first goal in his new club’s history.

“It was a great moment,” Villa added. “When people review the history of the club in future years, they will remember the first goal and it’s an honor that I was fortunate to be the scorer. It’s certainly one of the most important goals in my career.”

Villa also commented on the speculation linking his former Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez with a move to NYCFC.

“We have spoken, but at the moment he’s at Barcelona,” Villa said. “He has, I think, another year left to run on his contract and I haven’t pushed him on his future plans and even if he did tell me something, I certainly wouldn’t reveal it.

“Xavi would fit into any league in any part of the world. I’d be delighted as he’s a great player and a close friend.”