Spain's record scorer David Villa retires after 19-year career

Star striker David Villa, Spain's top goalscorer, Wednesday anunced he will retire next month, ending a glittering career in which he won World Cup, European Championships and Champions League. 37-year-old Vissel Kobe striker said he will call it a day at end of 2019 J-League season after a 19-year career that took in Barcelona, Atletico Mrid and Valencia while accumulating 98 caps for his country. "I have decided to end my professional career and that I have decided to retire," Villa told reporters in Kobe, his voice occasionally breaking with emotion. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. This is result of discussions I h with my family and people around me... I wanted to retire from football, t be forced to retire from football," he said.

Villa will become an investor in Queensboro FC, a new franchise based in New York district of Queens that will play in second tier of US football. "Even though I will longer be on pitch, I will continue to be involved in football in or ways and will continue to contribute to football world," he said.

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Villa played in three World Cups and was a member of Spanish side that lifted trophy in 2010 and won European Championships in 2008, though he missed out  on 2012 triumph through injury. He scored 59 times for Spain, a national record. His club hours include 2010-11 Champions League, 2011 UEFA Super Club, 2011 Club World Cup and two La Liga wins in 2010-11 and 2012-13 with Barcelona. Villa scored third goal for Barcelona at Wembley in 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2010-11 Champions League Final.

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He won a third La Liga with Atletico Mrid in his one season re in 2013-14 after leaving Barcelona. After leaving Atletico, Villa embarked on a successful spell in Major League Soccer for New York City, where he scored 80 goals in 124 appearances. Villa was New York City's first-ever signing and his haul included first goal scored at Yankee Stium in an opening home victory over New England Revolution.

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At Vissel Kobe, he played alongside fellow Spanish legend Andres Iniesta and German striker Lukas Podolski but presence of ing foreign stars has done little to bring success to ambitious Japanese club. Vissel Kobe are currently languishing 10th in J-League after 31 games -- same position y finished last year. Villa has scored 12 goals in 26 appearances for Vissel. He is expected to play three more J-League matches as well as semi-finals and finals of Emperor's Cup. His retirement ceremony will be on December 7, day of his last J-League game. 

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