5 of the best strikers of the Messi-Ronaldo era

#3 David Villa

Villa was a great goalscorer who scored great goals

El Guaje (The Kid) is a player whose style is difficult to describe but oh-so mesmerizing to watch. As a 4-year-old, he had fractured his right leg and it was thought he would never become a great footballer.

Slight of frame with dreamy eyes, his jet black hair and handsome demeanour weren't his only identifiable features. His goalscoring style; curving the ball beyond the goalkeeper from any angle is one many other players struggle with.

He was pacy and for a short player, was brilliant in the air. David Villa is perhaps one of the most adaptable strikers ever. Over his career, he has played as a lone striker, in a pair or on the flanks. In whichever position he played, he delivered more than his fair share of goals and assists.

For Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza, Valencia, FC Barcelona, and New York City, Villa was an ever-present goal threat/assist machine. So far, he has scored 310 goals in 611 games.

However, his best came in Spain's colours. Villa played a leading role in La Furia Roja's World Cup and European Championship wins. In the process, he dethroned Raul Gonzalez and became Spain's all-time leading scorer with 59 goals in 98 games.