David Villa has revealed he only joined Barcelona because Valencia needed the money from his sale at the time.
The Catalans paid €40m for the striker in 2010 after netting 129 goals in 255 appearances for Los Che but now at New York City, the 35-year-old has revealed he would not have moved had the financial situation been different.
"If Valencia hadn't needed the money, I would have stayed at the club," he told reporters.
"I had a long-term contract."
Three years later, Villa left the Camp Nou to sign for Atletico Madrid.
"I decided to leave Barcelona to have a more important role at another club – I was playing less and less and the new players that were coming in were better than me,” he explained.
Having scored 40 times in 62 appearances in New York there had been rumours the striker may return to Spain for a short-term move to Sporting Gijon, but he ruled out any move away from the US.
"I like to live in reality, not in a fantasy, and the reality is that I have another year on my contract with New York City. On Jan. 23 I will be back in for preseason come what may."
