David Villa at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $50 Million
- Birthdate: Dec 3, 1981
- Birthplace: Tuilla, Langreo, Spain
- Profession: Retired Professional Footballer, Entrepreneur
- Nationality: Spanish
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What is David Villa’s Net Worth?
David Villa has a net worth of $50 million. A retired Spanish professional footballer, Villa is celebrated as one of the best strikers of his generation and is the Spanish national team’s all-time top goalscorer.
Villa built his significant fortune through lucrative contracts during his two-decade career, playing for some of the world’s most prestigious clubs. His financial success was solidified by major transfer fees, including his €12 million move to Valencia and his subsequent €40 million transfer to Barcelona.
His earnings at top-tier clubs like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, combined with a high-profile role as a Designated Player for New York City FC in Major League Soccer, established the base of his wealth.
Since retiring from the sport, Villa has successfully transitioned into business. He now manages and expands his fortune through his holding company, the DV7 Group, which oversees a global network of soccer academies, a sports management agency, and other commercial interests.
Early Life
David Villa Sánchez was born in Tuilla, a small parish in Langreo, Asturias, in northern Spain. His father, José Manuel Villa, was a coal miner. At the age of four, Villa suffered a severe fracture of the femur in his right leg, but he made a full recovery.
Fearing a future in the mines, his father pushed him to pursue football. Villa often played with his father, who would toss him the ball repeatedly to strengthen his legs. His professional potential was nearly overlooked when Real Oviedo, a larger club in the region, declared he was too short and lacked potential. He instead began his youth career at UP Langreo before joining the academy of Sporting de Gijón at 17.
Career
David Villa began his professional career with Sporting de Gijón, making his first-team debut in 2001. After scoring 38 goals over two seasons in the second division, he moved to La Liga club Real Zaragoza in 2003 for a €3 million fee. At Zaragoza, he won his first major trophies, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
His prolific scoring earned him a €12 million transfer to Valencia in 2005, where he became one of Europe’s elite strikers. He finished as one of La Liga’s top scorers in each of his five seasons, winning the Zarra Trophy four times and lifting another Copa del Rey in 2008.
This success led to a €40 million transfer to Barcelona in 2010. During his three seasons at the club, Villa was a key part of one of the greatest teams in football history. He won La Liga twice and, most notably, the 2011 UEFA Champions League, where he scored a memorable goal in the final against Manchester United.
Villa later joined Atlético Madrid for the 2013–14 season, helping the team win its first La Liga title in 18 years. In 2014, he became the first-ever signing for the new Major League Soccer club, New York City FC. Villa became the face of the franchise, scoring 77 goals in 117 appearances and winning the MLS MVP award in 2016.
He finished his playing career in Japan with Vissel Kobe, playing alongside his former Barcelona teammate Andrés Iniesta, and officially retired in January 2020.
Internationally, Villa was the focal point of Spain’s “golden generation.” He was the top scorer at the UEFA Euro 2008, which Spain won. He was also instrumental in their 2010 FIFA World Cup victory, finishing as the tournament’s joint-top scorer. He retired from international football as Spain’s all-time leading scorer, with 59 goals in 98 appearances.
