This Saturday, Valencia CF and FC Barcelona square off on LaLiga Matchday 12 at Mestalla. Before kickoff, Valencia CF will pay tribute to club legend David Villa. The club will erect a canvas outside the stadium as a permanent homage to the former striker, who spent five seasons in the city. VCF Media caught up with the famous no.7.

A new phase of his life

I'm very happy. I'm enjoying a new stage in my life, with a lot more time to do things outside of football. I've got kids football academies to try to help with the development of future players. Above all, I'm enjoying time with my family. In the last few years I've been very far away from them, besides having my wife and children with me. The rest of my family have been far away, so I'm trying to make the most of my time to spent the most amount of time possible with them. I'm enjoying football as an outsider, with less pressure. I'm really enjoying this stage of my life.

A postponed tribute

It was a difficult day when we decided to cancel this event two years ago, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm happy to get back to it, with Valencia CF calling me to recognise my career. I'm very grateful and proud that a club like Valencia CF look at me in this way. I'll try to enjoy Saturday to the fullest. It's a source of pride and a privilege. I feel very lucky to have been there at a club and a stadium as legendary as Valencia CF and Mestalla. To be alongside legends of the club and football in general, from different eras, is a source of pride. More than anything, it's a privilege. I hope to enjoy Saturday a lot and thank everybody at Valencia CF. It's an honour.

His best years

I've always said that, on an individual level, they were the best years. Collectively, other years we won more trophies, but on an individual level I think that they were the best years of my career. They were very happy times, both for me and for my family, and Valencia CF are the club at which I spent the most seasons. My two daughters are Valencian, and my affection for Valencia is enormous.

A proud Valencianista

We had some very happy times here. It’s hard to pick one. It would be easy to say the Copa del Rey win, because it was when we got my trophy here, but there were other really good moments. Even the not so good moments made me grow as a player and a person, and the club grow as well. I’m very proud to been at Valencia CF during all that time, enjoying the fans and Valencia city. That goes for both my family and I, as my two daughters were born there.

Amazed by Mestalla

Before playing for Valencia CF, when I was at Zaragoza, I used to say that it was a very impressive stadium because of how the fans supported the team and the pressure that you experience as an away team. I was lucky enough to be able to play for the home team for five seasons. It is something that is difficult to describe in words. It is one of the best stadiums in which I have been able to play. People support and lift the team.

Returning home

After being a player for the home team, when you come back as a visitor it's totally different. I once said a phrase when I returned to El Molinón that I can use for all the grounds I’ve returned to after being a player there. It gives you the feeling as if you are going to rob your own house. I think that defines very well what it’s like playing at a ground where you were as happy as I was at Valencia CF.

The connection with the fans

The team have made a good start in LaLiga, although it is true that the last defeat left us a bit hurt. The most important thing for me is the feeling amongst the fans. I think it's important, beyond the victories and the position in LaLiga, that people are invested in the team. That bond is important, and vital for a club like Valencia CF. Hopefully this is kept up throughout the season and it can be a great year.

The Valencia CF no.7 shirt

I always look to see who wears number 7 at Valencia CF. I have special affection for the Valencia CF shirt and the number 7, that's why I keep an eye on who wears it every year. I think Edinson Cavani is a great striker, and one of the best in recent years. He has triumphed in different leagues and different clubs, something that is not easy for any striker. I think he is going to have a great year. He has started off on the right foot and is going to give Valencia CF a lot of joy. I hope, as a fan of Valencia CF, that he and the other players have a great year so that Valencia CF have a great year.

The atmosphere

The news that is reaching me is that there could be a sellout crowd for the first time in many years. Obviously, I'd like to see the stadium packed with people supporting Valencia CF. What better for the day of my tribute, than to step onto the pitch at Mestalla again and see that stadium gave me so many things as a player full to capacity.