Why Did Barcelona Sell David Villa?

By Alice Nichols

David Villa was one of the most prolific goalscorers in Barcelona’s history. He arrived at Camp Nou in 2010 as one of the hottest properties in world football, having scored 76 goals in his previous three seasons with Valencia.

Villa was expected to be a key player for Barcelona, and he didn’t disappoint. In his first season with the Blaugrana, he scored 23 goals in all competitions, helping the team win La Liga and the Champions League. However, after just three seasons with the club, Villa was sold to Atletico Madrid for €5.1 million.

There were several reasons why Barcelona decided to sell Villa. One of the main factors was the emergence of Lionel Messi as the team’s superstar.

Messi had always been a key player for Barcelona, but during Villa’s time at the club, he began to establish himself as one of the best players in history. With Messi taking on a more prominent role in attack, there was less room for Villa to shine.

Another reason why Barcelona sold Villa was his age. By the time he left Camp Nou in 2013, he was 31 years old and had suffered a serious leg injury that had kept him out of action for several months. The injury had taken its toll on Villa’s pace and mobility, and although he remained a clinical finisher, his overall impact on games had decreased.

Despite these factors, it is important to note that Barcelona did not sell Villa because they thought he was no longer good enough. In fact, many fans and pundits were surprised by his departure and felt that he still had a lot to offer at the highest level.

Ultimately, it seems that Barcelona sold Villa because they wanted to raise funds for other transfers. The club had already signed Neymar from Santos for €57 million earlier that summer and were looking to bring in other reinforcements as well. Selling Villa allowed them to generate some cash while also freeing up space on the wage bill.

In conclusion, Barcelona’s decision to sell David Villa was influenced by several factors, including Lionel Messi’s emergence as the team’s superstar, Villa’s age and injury problems, and the need to raise funds for other transfers. While it was a difficult decision to make, it ultimately allowed the club to move forward and continue its success on both the domestic and European stage.