David Villa Joins Atlético Madrid's Board of Directors
Former Spanish international striker David Villa has been appointed to the board of directors at Atlético Madrid. The club's president, Enrique Cerezo, and its CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, will continue in their current roles. Villa, who played for Atlético during the 2013/14 season, was instrumental in the club's La Liga title victory that year. This move signals a trend of top European clubs integrating their former stars into executive positions.
David Villa's Illustrious Career
David Villa began his senior career with Sporting de Gijón's reserve team in the 2000/01 season. Over the course of his playing days, he represented several prestigious clubs:
- Real Zaragoza
- Valencia
- Barcelona
- Atlético Madrid
Villa also had spells in the leagues of Australia, the United States' MLS, and Japan. For the Spanish national team, he earned 98 caps and scored 59 goals, playing a key role in their golden era. He was a European champion in 2008 and a World Cup winner in 2010. At the 2006 World Cup, Villa scored twice in Spain's 4-0 victory over Ukraine.
Since retiring from play, Villa has built a significant business portfolio. He is the owner of DV7 Group, a holding company for several ventures. Notably, DV7 Soccer operates football academies in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. In 2019, Villa became a co-owner of the planned American club Queensboro FC, with the aim of joining the USL Championship for the 2021 season, though that project has not yet come to fruition.
"I am thrilled to return to the club in a new capacity, but with the same desire to help Atlético de Madrid progress with each new season. The club has grown immensely in recent years, and I hope to contribute to our future successes. I am very grateful that my appointment to this position has been approved." - David Villa
Villa's induction onto the board may strengthen the ties between Atlético Madrid and its legendary former players, reflecting a broader strategy to leverage their experience in club governance. His return to the club where he won his first major domestic trophy could positively influence the team's culture and its strategic development moving forward.