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MLS: Top 5 Spanish players in league history

By Matt Coles

Spain's forward David Villa runs during the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain's forward David Villa runs during the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 06: David Villa #7 of New York City FC in action warming up before the fourth round match of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on June 6, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 06: David Villa #7 of New York City FC in action warming up before the fourth round match of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on June 6, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

1. David Villa

It might come as no surprise that, despite having not lifted a title during his time in the league, David Villa takes the top spot on our list of the best Spaniards to ever play in MLS.

After joining New York City FC ahead of the 2015 season as a Designated Player, Villa became the star man, scoring 18 goals and creating eight others in his first campaign. He then had 22 and 23 goal seasons in 2016 and 2017, being awarded MLS MVP for his efforts in the former. The Spaniard was an MLS All-Star in each of his four campaigns with the club, before leaving New York at the end of the 2018 season.

Perhaps more importantly, though, Villa was an inspirational figure off the pitch. He was the club captain throughout his time at the club and is largely viewed as the face of their franchise. He joined an expansion team and implemented a culture that has led to NYCFC becoming one of the premier teams in MLS.

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Villa will forever be remembered by fans of the Sky Blues as their main man, and that 2015-2018 spell will be one that lives in their minds for the rest of time.

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