7 Top strikers who moved to lesser leagues in the twilight of their careers

#2 David Villa

David Villa

After guiding Atletico de Madrid to their first La Liga title since 1996 in his only season with the club scoring 13 goals in 36 games in the 2013-14 season breaking the hegemony of local rivals Real Madrid and former club FC Barcelona, David Villa became the first player to join the newly formed New York City FC as their Designated Player. The club handed him his preferred number 7 jersey and Villa was later named first captain of the team.

After a small stint with sister club Melbourne City FC playing four games to maintain fitness, he scored the club’s first ever goal in a friendly against Scottish club St. Mirren. On the club’s competitive bow, he assisted a goal against fellow newcomers Orlando City in a 1-1 draw. He scored his first goal for the club at their home stadium, Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees’ The Yankee Stadium, in a 2-0 win against New England Revolution.

In the home game against Toronto FC, he missed a spot-kick but scored a brace in a thrilling 4-4 draw. He was selected in the MLS All-Star game against Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs and scored the winner from Ricardo Kaka’s assist in a 2-1 win. In his first season at the club, Villa scored an impressive 18 goals in 30 games but NYCFC failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

At the start of the 2016 season, former Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter Milan defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira was named as the head coach of the club. Vieira’s appointment, along with some smart moves in the draft, set NYCFC on their way to a stellar campaign in which they qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time.

Villa had a lion’s share in the club’s surge to the top with 23 goals in 33 appearances as he clinched the Most Valuable Player Award. NYCFC, however, lost to Toronto in the semi-finals of the MLS Cup.

In the 2017 season, Villa was again selected and started for the All-Star game against former El Classico rivals Real Madrid, the match ended 1 goal apiece in regular and extra time with Real prevailing 4-2 in the ensuing shootout. On 6th August, Villa scored his first MLS hattrick in the Hudson River Derby against local rivals New York Red Bulls in a 3-2 win. Villa ended his campaign with 22 goals as City crashed out Eastern Conference semi-finals against Columbus Crew.

In April 2018, Villa scored a brace against Dallas FC and recorded his 400th career goal (club and country combined). He has scored 11 goals in 19 games in the 2018 season.