David Villa talks Real Football 2011, goal line technology, and lifting the World Cup
Face to FaceTime with Spain's World Cup winner
The morning after the night before...
Following his team's trouncing of Greek giants Panathanaikos in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening (September 14th), FC Barcelona star striker David Villa went one-on-one with Pocket Gamer to discuss his involvement in Real Football 2011, goal line technology, Raúl ‘Mr App Store’ Albiol, and his younger brother Aston.
(Well, maybe not Aston.)
Welcome to the 26th Floor of the frightfully plush W Barcelona hotel, which overlooks the gorgeous Catalan coastline. With Barcelona bathed in sunshine and just the faintest of breezes in the air, the conditions for this encounter are perfect. Your commentator for this meeting is Richard Brown.
PG: What degree of involvement did you have in the development of Real Football 2011?
David Villa: I’m happy to have been chosen by Gameloft to be associated with a title I’d already played and enjoyed before even partnering on this project. Now, it makes me feel great to have my image on the game’s cover.
No, in this case, they (the Gameloft team) are the professionals and they should take all of the decisions on the game’s direction, etc. I’ve been shown all the pictures and the videos during its development – I thought they were great.
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If you could have made a decision, what would it have been?
I wouldn’t have changed anything. I like how my teammates and I are reproduced in the game, plus the playability and graphics are fine as they are.
What is your single favourite feature in Real Football 2011?In Real Football 2011, as in all football video games, I particularly relish the special skills, dribbling, and finishing aspects.
Are you any good at Real Football 2011?Well, I enjoy playing it on my iPhone, but I don’t know if I’m any good, as such. It depends on the opponent, of course, but I do get quite a lot of practice.
Given their association with Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer franchise, is there any friendly rivalry now between you, (Fernando) Torres, and (Lionel) Messi?
Well, in my opinion, Real Football 2011 is superior. If you asked Fernando or Leo, though, I’d naturally presume they prefer Pro Evolution Soccer. I’m great friends with both of those guys, so there aren’t any Real (!) rivalries.
Did you play any video games as a youngster growing up in Asturias (Villa’s home principality)?
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed playing video games, mostly - as aforementioned - football or sports titles.
I can’t remember the exact model, but it was a Nokia. A rather large one, as I recall.
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Which iPhone games, other than football titles, do you play most frequently on your handset?
Sports sims mainly, e.g. tennis and basketball. I love sport in general, so any sports-related video game title will interest me.
I won’t mention any game names, since I am contracted to Gameloft, after all! [Hearty chuckles all round, even from Gameloft PR.]
How important are critical reviews for you when deciding on an iPhone game / app purchase?
Of course, they are very important whenever I go to buy a video game or an app. I take a look at the critiques and opinions. If I have any experience with previous editions, then all the better for my decision-making process.
What is the most popular handset on the FC Barcelona team bus and in the Spanish team’s dressing room?
Currently, iPhones and BlackBerries dominate the Spain changing room. On the FC Barcelona bus the iPhone is the most prevalent.
Victor Valdés (FC Barcelona goalkeeper and third choice Spain shot stopper) has an iPhone and he’s very fond of it. Victor’s downloaded many games onto his handset. Victor and I haven’t done battle yet iPhone-to-iPhone, but we definitely will.
From the national team setup, Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid CF centre back) is forever downloading new releases from the App Store.
And so who’s the best video game player from among the FC Barcelona and Spain camps?[Without hesitation] Raúl Albiol.
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Who would win in a contest between FC Barcelona and Spain in real life and in Real Football, human cloning difficulties notwithstanding?
[With a smile] It would end in a draw.
How does it feel to hold the FIFA World Cup?
Lifting the World Cup (in South Africa this summer) made me feel very happy and proud. I was especially pleased that we fulfilled the task we’d set out to achieve.
Which member of the England football squad do you admire the most?
England has many top players, but my personal favourite has always been Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC midfielder).
On the subject of Lampard, he famously had a legitimate goal chalked off during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Are you in favour of goal line technology being introduced into soccer?
I would use this technology, if it were up to me. But, of course, it’s not in my hands. Anything that can help improve football is a positive step.
