Villa announces international retirement after World Cup with Spain

Published Jun. 4, 2014 11:13 a.m. ET

foxsports

David Villa, Spain's all-time leading scorer, says this World Cup will be his last event with the national team.

The striker tells Spanish television station Cuatro, "I don't like to say it, but yes, obviously this will be my last World Cup and my last games with the selection given my age, my level of performance, and everything I have given the team. It is time."

Villa, 32, has scored 56 goals for Spain and helped it win the 2108 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup.

On Monday, Villa signed a three-year contract with New York City FC, becoming the first player to join the expansion Major League Soccer team.

Villa helped Atletico Madrid win the Spanish league this season. He also won the 2011 Champions League with Barcelona.