Thursday, 9th October, 2014
David Villa has revealed that Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone wanted him to stay at the club.
The former Spanish international joined New York City FC this summer, but he was loaned out to their sister club in Australian side Melbourne City FC earlier this month.
The former Barcelona striker enjoyed a fruitful spell at Atletico Madrid, culminating in a league title win last season.
However, the 32-year-old wanted to experience a different culture after spending so many years in Spain and decided to move out of his homeland.
“When I was kid I always dreamed of an experience so far from home”, Villa told Radio Onda.
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The striker admits that he enjoyed playing at Atletico Madrid and revealed that Simeone wanted him to remain at the Vicente Calderon – but he wanted a new challenge.
“I appreciated the desire they had to keep me but it was time to leave Spain.
“Simeone told me to stay but I wanted a new challenge.”
Villa is Spain’s all-time top scorer on the international stage, scoring 61 goals in 97 appearances for La Furia Roja.
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