David Villa on Barcelona: 'They need to win' El Clasico vs. Real Madrid

The former Barcelona striker weighs in on the club's recent struggles ahead of a vital rivalry matchup in La Liga.

NEW YORK – With so many memorable matchups between Barcelona and Real Madrid taking place over the years, it can be hard to choose a favorite one. Former Barcelona and current NYCFC striker David Villa has no such problem. 

“My first Clasico was amazing for me,” Villa said when asked his favorite edition of the big game between two of Spanish soccer’s heavyweights. “It was a dream, no? 5–0, I scored two goals. It is one of my favorite memories in soccer.” 

Speaking to SI.com at the opening of Adidas’s new store in midtown Manhattan, Villa said that he thinks this weekend could bring us one of the most consequential Clasicos in recent memory.

Barcelona’s recent struggles, including last weekend’s 1–1 draw at Real Sociedad, have made the club the underdog despite playing at Camp Nou, and with Real Madrid’s lead over Barcelona at six points, the result could make a gigantic impact on the title race at a relatively early part of the season. 

GALLERY: Classic Clasico moments

Classic Clasico Moments: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

October 25, 1953

ZUMA Wire

Alfredo Di Stefano scores four times in a 5-0 Real Madrid win over Barcelona.

April 21 and 27, 1960

Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Real Madrid beats Barcelona 3-1 in both legs to advance to the European Cup final, which it would win for the fifth straight time.

February 17, 1974

Horstmüller/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Johan Cruyff stars as Barcelona routs Real Madrid 5-0 in Madrid.

January 8, 1994

Barcelona beats Real Madrid 5-0.

January 7, 1995

Jose R. Platon/Cover/Getty Images

Real Madrid beats Barcelona 5-0 a day short of a year from when Barcelona beat Real Madrid by the same score. Michael Laudrup was on the winning team both times.

April 23, 2002

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Real Madrid wins the first leg of their Champions League semifinal 2-0. Zinedine Zidane and Steve McManaman score in Barcelona en route to Madrid's 3-1 aggregate win. Madrid went on to win the Champions League.

November 24, 2002

Firo Foto/Getty Images

Barcelona fans throw a legit pig's head onto the field aimed at Real Madrid's Luis Figo in a 0-0 draw. Figo had left Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000, sparking the animosity.

November 19, 2005

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Barcelona's Ronaldinho gets a standing ovation in Madrid during a 3-0 win for Barcelona.

March 10, 2007

Jasper Juinen/AP

Lionel Messi scores a hat trick and Barcelona and Real Madrid play to a riveting 3-3 draw.

November 29, 2010

Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images; Victor R. Caivano/AP

Pep Guardiola's Barcelona routs Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid 5-0 on Barcelona's 111th anniversary as a club. David Villa scored twice.

April 27, 2011

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

First leg of the Champions League semifinals. Lionel Messi scores twice en route to Barcelona advancing to the final it would eventually win. The second leg a week later capped a run of four Clasico's in 18 days.

August 17, 2011

Lluis Gene and Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Barcelona beats Real Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup, but the match is remembered for the fracas at the end, which featured Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho gouging Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye.

April 16, 2014

Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images

Gareth Bale emerges as the hero, scoring the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final in highlight-reel fashion.

November 21, 2015

Francisco Seco/AP

Barcelona's Luis Suarez leaps for joy after scoring in a 4-0 rout at Real Madrid.

“It’s always an amazing game. This year, most than ever, or more than the last year, it's different,” Villa said. “Barcelona has had a little bit of trouble. They need to win. I think Barcelona can do it, and I hope they win the game.”

Barcelona plays Real Madrid at Camp Nou at 10:15 a.m. ET, and it's televised on beIN Sports.