AUDIO ♬ Estopa’s SHOWTIME 2.0 feat. Villa, Iniesta, and Busquets
VIDEOCLIP of recording session: Watch here.

I take a pause in my recovery work to write these lines, as the coda to More … Secrets of La Roja, a book with which I hope will have you relive what have been a wonderful [maravillosos] four years. As I like to say, it seemed impossible that a Spaniard would lift the World Cup, but we succeeded. It has not been easy at all, but based on effort, faith and fellowship, we have made history. Only three national teams have been able to conquer Eurocup and World Cup - or World Cup and Eurocup - consecutively, and La Roja is one of them. It’s something to be proud of.

But we must not be conformists. We are faced with an excellent opportunity to go a step further and bind the Eurocup, World Cup and Eurocup. It would be something unique and who knows if it’ll be repeatable in the history of football. How many years should pass before another national team (or why not - Spain again) return to achieve it? The Euro 2012 is a new challenge for a team that does not get tired of winning. No one should doubt that we will continue to strive to be the best.

We do not give weight to those that consider us as favorites to win the tournament. Although we would be unwise if we believe that there are no more teams capable of achieving it also. We guarantee the results, even though we have not been at the peak in any friendly. It is not easy to always win. In addition, we have become a motivation for our rivals. They want to beat us, it’s normal.

The atmosphere in the selection remains unbeatable. We have always attached great importance to the ‘good vibes’ [buen rollos] because we are convinced that this helps and is reflected in the field. The footballers are usually jealous of our intimacy and it costs us to air these things. But in this case we have relied on Miguelito (the author of the book), who I believe has been able to reflect our fellowship to perfection. The most important thing is that we are a TEAM. Here, no one is above anyone else. It is easy to be together when everything is going well, but we have also been overcoming complicated situations standing united. That has made us even stronger.

Aragonés and Del Bosque are like papá and mamá. You can’t love one more than another. Luis marked in our heads that we were capable. With him, we have many anecdotes that we are recalling from time to time and that are well reflected in this book. He bet on a style of play and changed our mindset. Vicente is more quiet, but knew how to make us love him very quickly. He has gradually molded the selection to his liking, giving entry to other teammates with wisdom and naturalness. In South Africa, he gave a lesson to all of the world. It was not easy to maintain the calm after the defeat to Switzerland. Perhaps what’s easy would have been to swerve and change the script, but he was convinced that we were going in the right direction, as was demonstrated in the end.

My great friend Pepe Reina tells me that he will not forgive me in this lifetime if I miss this Euro and leave him alone. It’s heavier than a necklace of melons, as he likes to say… You know that I’ve spent many hours with him and that he is like a brother to me. When Spain faced Venezuela in the friendly in February of 2012, he did not stop contacting me to cheer me up. Although I am sure that he was not bored. He’s a guy who’s very “sociable.” We are seat-mates on the plane and on the bus. And because the rooms are singles, but if not then we would be sleeping together… (Dear readers: I know what you’re all thinking… No, no. Get your minds out of the gutter!)

Los pocheros* told me that they had to search for some reinforcement in order to complete the game (poker). But I am sure that they do not miss me as much as I miss them. We have a great time when we play and that’s where the sparks fly between each other. Winning the game gives you the right to tease (brag) and that’s priceless. It’s one of the best moments of the day.

(*Los pocheros are the poker-playing group of La Roja. The permanent players of this group are Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Villa. Cazorla sometimes joins and Llorente is slowly gaining his skills after being persuaded to play during the World Cup… where Capdevila decided that he has lost enough money.)

When you have this book in your hands I hope I’ll have reappeared or be on the verge of doing so. I don’t think this is the appropriate place for giving many explanations about my injury. Here I’ve come to talk about La Roja, not to bore you with feelings and exercises. But I would like to thank everyone, especially to my teammates, for the showing of affection that I have received during these months. I’ve felt your encouragement very close, and all of you have helped me to push and to complete the rehabilitation.

My next goal will be very special. It will be as important as the first I have scored in the first division at La Romareda, or with the selection against Slovakia. You can be sure that it’ll be filled with emotion. Miguelito (the author) , who wants to know everything, asks me to tell you if I have prepared some special celebration when that moment comes. Something I will do, but I cannot reveal here because then it wouldn’t be a surprise. The only thing that I can give away is that it’ll be dedicated to many people.

At the time that I have just finished this epilogue, I have full confidence to be among those chosen for the Euros 2012. To play with the selection is always a pride and even more so to participate in a great tournament such as this. The team and the fans are going to be united by a common goal and it’s very exciting. I hope that all will go well there for La Roja, and that it’ll give to write many more pages and books like this.

DAVID VILLA

Book was published on 4 March 2012 

If using this translation, please give credit where credit’s due. Thanks and of course, illa illa illa VILLA Maravilla! Vamos Guaje!!!

In light of all the criticism David Villa has received lately, after AC Milan game, I wrote a piece in defense of el Guaje. It is now uploaded onto barcelonafootballblog. Please have a look and keep believing in our #7! Comment if you like =)