In an honest chat with Iker Casillas on the podcast Bajo los Palos, David Villa looked back at some of the key moments in his career. One of the biggest questions he addressed was why he never ended up wearing the Real Madrid jersey, even though he came very close. The “Guaje” finally opened up about one of the most talked-about transfer deals that never happened and shared what went down that summer when Los Blancos went all out to sign him.

Madrid came calling more than once but Barça took their shot

Villa confirmed that Real Madrid had been after him for years, but Valencia CF’s refusal to sell was the real obstacle. “Until I was about 30 or 31, every summer it was the same… Madrid, Barcelona… I’d get offers from everywhere. But I had a contract… Valencia had to agree, and they always said no,” said the World Cup winner. He admitted he was ready to make the move, but chose to honor his contract and respect the club’s decision.

When Valencia finally agreed to sell in 2010, it was FC Barcelona who snapped up the striker. According to Villa, it wasn’t about rejecting Madrid outright — it was just how things unfolded. “Did both Madrid and Barça want me? Yes. Were they ready to pay? Yes. Did Valencia agree? No… No one forced me to sign anything,” he said. So he ended up in the Catalan capital, and with Barça, he lived some of the best years of his career.

El Guaje, unfiltered

In the same episode, Spain’s all-time top scorer also talked about the heat he took for wearing the No. 7 shirt after Raúl. Villa admitted he didn’t see it coming: “If I’d known what a big deal it was gonna be, I wouldn’t have taken it. I only took it because someone had to — we couldn’t leave a shirt number empty.”

The interview with Casillas gave fans a look into not just a brilliant football career, but also the personal choices that shaped it. From the missed chance to join Real Madrid, to his incredible run with Barcelona, and his legendary moments with Spain, Villa made it clear he always acted with professionalism and respect.

Speaking candidly and without dodging anything, David Villa gave his side of the story about moments that had long been surrounded by speculation. His words clear up the mystery and make one thing obvious: while his path could’ve taken him to Madrid, his story was ultimately written in Barça colors.