Spain manager refuses to rule out sensational call-up for Euro 2008 star

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has refused to rule out a stunning call-up for New York City FC striker David Villa.

Villa, 34, never officially retired from the Spanish national team but hasn’t featured for La Roja since scoring in a 3-0 win over Australia in the 2014 World Cup group stages.

The former Barcelona striker, who is three appearances short of 100 caps for Spain, has spent the last two years in MLS with NYCFC but that doesn’t count against his chances for the national team, according to Lopetegui.

“Villa’s contribution to Spanish football has been priceless,” Spanish outlet AS quote Lopetegui as saying. “He’s still playing at a high level. We’ll see in the future if he can come back. We always bear in mind a great number of available players and we don’t close any doors.”

Villa is still Spain’s record all-time goalscorer (59) and finished Euro 2008, the start of three successful major tournament victories, as the top goalscorer in the competition (four goals).

Only Bradley Wright-Phillips (24) has scored more goals in MLS this season than Villa (23).

For more stats on David Villa, click here to visit his WhoScored player page