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Spain's David Villa will retire from international play after World Cup

MADRID (AP) 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.''

CREDITOR: NYCFC signs David Villa as club's first player

Villa, 32, has scored 56 goals for Spain and helped it win the 2008 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, and the club came up just short of winning the Champions League as well. He also won the 2011 Champions League with Barcelona.

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