Goal.com world player of the week: David Villa - Spain

Welcome to Goal.com's regular feature: Goal.com World Player of the Week. Each week our worldwide team of editors will put forward a selected candidate, as chosen by Goal.com International, who deserves recognition for achieving something special that matchday. It won't necessarily be the best player in the world - at least not usually - but whoever we nominate will have done something amazing. It might be for a particularly awesome performance or for something praiseworthy off the pitch - either way, the person in question deserves special attention...

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Bilbao £85.00

Draw £55.00

Barcelona £12.50

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Bilbao £95.00

Draw £55.00

Barcelona £12.90

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Bilbao £90.00

Draw £50.00

Barcelona £13.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Bilbao £90.00

Draw £60.00

Barcelona £12.90

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Bilbao £87.00

Draw £53.00

Barcelona £12.50

David Villa scores goals, goals and lots of goals. The Barcelona forward is a natural goalscorer, born to torment defenders and he did so once again against the Czech Republic in Spain’s Group I Euro 2012 qualifier in Granada on Friday evening. His two goals for the reigning European and word champions helped them sustain their 100 per cent record in the qualifying campaign and nudged them a step closer to securing a place in the European Championships in 2012.

More importantly perhaps, Villa’s two goals saw him break Raul’s record as Spain’s all-time highest goalscorer. While the 33-year-old Real Madrid legend, now at Schalke, took 102 matches to find the target 44 times for la Furia Roja, the former Valencia centre-forward has taken just 71 games to overtake him and now has 46 goals. Villa has yet to hit 30 in terms of age and is regarded by many as the world’s best forward, and one can only expect him to carry on adding to his tally.

Villa, though, remains modest amidst all this accolade and says that winning matches and silverware with his national team is more important than hunting for personal glory.

"I am happy because the goals helped the team get the win,” said the World Cup winner after his record-breaking achievement. “The important thing is that we are close to qualifying for the tournament.

"I really wanted it, mostly because it was a very difficult game, which we did not start as we expected. We had chances, but luck and their keeper were against us. The goals are dedicated to all the team-mates, all the coaches, all partners and friends I had during my career.”

Congratulations to David Villa, Goal.com's 97th world player of the week!

Miroslav Klose – Germany (Castrol Ranking: 1372)

At club level Miroslav Klose has hardly been consistent or impressive but when he dons the shirt of Germany he becomes another player. On Saturday evening the Bayern Munich striker scored twice against Kazakhstan in their Group A Euro 2012 qualifier and now has netted 61 times for his country. Seven more goals and he will equal the record of the legendary Gerd Mueller. One more game and he will equal Juergen Klinsmann’s record of featuring in 108 matches for the former world champions.

Andres Iniesta – Spain (Castrol Ranking: 30)

Spain struggled against the Czech Republic in the first half of their Group I Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday evening but turned around the match in the second session. Andres Iniesta provided the assist for David Villa’s equaliser and then won the penalty that the Spain international striker successfully slotted home to accomplish a 2-1 victory.

Tim Howard – USA (Castrol Ranking: 808)

Argentina forward Lionel Messi terrorised the USA in the international friendly on Saturday evening and was the best outfield player on the pitch. But between the sticks for the Americans was a certain Tim Howard, who caught everything (well, almost everything) that Messi and co threw at him. The Everton goalkeeper made save after save to earn his side a memorable 1-1 draw with one of the best and most entertaining footballing nations in the world.

Thiago Motta – Italy (Castrol Ranking: 369)

Against Slovenia in their Group C Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday evening Brazil-born Thiago Motta earned only his second international cap for Italy but he was a force in the middle of the pitch and scored the only goal in the encounter. His second half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides and was the Inter midfielder’s first goal for the Azzurri.

Ashley Young – England (Castrol Ranking: 413)

Ashley Young was the star for England against Wales in Group G's Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday afternoon at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The Aston Villa winger won the penalty that Frank Lampard slotted home after just six minutes and then set up Darren Bent for the Three Lions’ second that was enough for them to gain all three points against the Dragons.

Katlego Mphela – South Africa (Castrol Ranking: N/A)

South Africa defeated Egypt 1-0 in Group G 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and the man who scored the goal was a certain Katlego Mphela. His pace and shot under pressure from Wael Gomaa was worth the three points on the night, putting Bafana Bafana top of the group with two wins and a draw so far.

Neymar – Brazil (Castrol Ranking: N/A)

Neymar is only 19 years of age and plays his club football in Brazil but is already a well-known figure in the football circle in Europe. The Santos playmaker once again attested his class with a breathtaking display for his national team against Scotland at the Emirates Stadium in London in a friendly international on Sunday afternoon. Neymar was a joy to watch throughout the encounter, scoring his first goal on 42 minutes and then in the second half slotted home the penalty to round up a deserved 2-0 victory.

Leave your notes of congratulations for David Villa below, or discuss who else deserves a place in the sun this week...

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