David Villa: Lampard & Pirlo are legends but Messi is the best

David Villa has lauded New York City FC team-mates Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo as ‘legends’ while adding to the chorus of players citing Lionel Messi as the best in the world.

Villa may have taken the 2016 MVP award in Major League Soccer, but he says it was a delight to play alongside Lampard and Pirlo in the Big Apple.

The United States has attracted a lot of big-name players heading towards the twilight of their playing days, but Villa insists the standard is improving and is not just a place for ageing players to finish their careers off.

"It's fantastic to play with Lampard and Pirlo,” Villa told a fans Q&A in Korea via Naver. "They're legends.

"And MLS is not about veterans, they have many young players getting better and better. I think MLS is competitive enough".

Villa is in no doubt who the best player around is right now, despite Cristian Ronaldo landing the Ballon d’Or yet again, as he plumps for his former Barcelona team-mate Messi.

"Messi, he's the best. The reason is simple. Because he is the best".

Villa insists he is still going strong at the age of 35, and reiterated that he has not totally given up all hope of playing for Spain again, although he accepts it will be a tough ask.

"I try my best to keep as fit as possible. I know I'm old now and cannot play as many games as before. I try to eat and recover well. Maybe my parents gave me good genes. I feel well, very well.

"It's nice to hear many fans ask me about national team. But I think it's difficult. Spain already has quality forwards. Although I have not given up all hopes yet".

Villa refused to accept that Spain had been struggling in recent tournaments because they could not find the right formula up front.

"I don't agree. Spain struggled at the World Cup because it is difficult tournament. We've only won it once in 100 years".

Villa was promoting the latest branch of his DV7 foundation academies in Korea, and he says that funding young players’ development is the way he’d like to stay in football, with no current plans to enter coaching.

"I have more passion in youth development,” he added. “I think it has so much possibility. I'm not thinking about becoming a coach or club staff right now.

"I want to create a program to raise good human beings, not only good football players as it is difficult for everyone to become a professional player".