Whenever the topic of best strikers for Spain is discussed, then David Villa’s name will certainly crop up.

Celebrating his 35th birthday today, Villa was one of the finest forwards at his prime in La Liga and still going strong at New York City.

He began his career at Sporting Gijon, but it was at Valencia, whom he joined four years later in 2005, that he started making a name for himself.

Villa netted 107 times in 166 appearances at the Mestalla, finishing as the club’s top-scorer for five seasons. That earned him a move to Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles, the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

He went on to win another league crown at Atletico Madrid.

For Spain, he became an integral part of the team winning 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008, and sits top of the goal charts for his country with 59 goals.

1965: Katarina Witt, four-time figure-skating world champion and twice Olympic gold medal (51).

1970: Christian Karembeu, former Real Madrid and France midfielder, who won the 1998 World Cup (46).

1976: Mark Boucher, former South Africa cricketer, who was first wicket-keeper to take 500 Test catches.

1982: Michael Essien, former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder (34).