David Villa was one of the stars of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa as he helped Spain to end their long wait for a World Cup title. David Villa was an important part of the attacking department of the golden Spanish generation that won three major trophies in four years. Spain dominated the world football for many years after the wait for a major trophy ended at the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

Spain had to wait for 44 years before winning another trophy. David Villa won the Golden Boot Award at the tournament despite missing the final game against Germany and majority of the semi-final. His strike partner, Fernando Torres was responsible for the only goal in the final as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to win the tournament. David Villa was also rewarded with a place in the Team of the Tournament.

After the trophy breakthrough at the Euro 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland, Spain went on to add the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa as well as the 2012 European Championship to their trophy haul.

Spanish striker David Villa repeated the Golden Boot feat at the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa in what was a unique tournament due to the fact that the tournament was being hosted on African soil for the first time and only time till date. David Villa and Spain needed extra time to beat the Netherlands in the final with Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta netting the winning goal off a fantastic pass from Cesc Fabregas.

Spain beat the Dutch team 1-0 to win the final. At the end of the tournament, David Villa was one of four players who scored five goals to emerge as the Golden Boot recipient. Diego Forlan of Uruguay, Thomas Mueller of Germany and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands were the other three players. David Villa missed out on the Euro 2012 title winning party because of fitness issues.

 

• David Villa