David Villa: European leagues should copy MLS All-Star Game

New York City FC striker David Villa says Europe's biggest leagues ought to look at putting on their own version of Major League Soccer's All-Star Game.

The MLS All-Star team is set to take on Arsenal at Avaya Stadium on Thursday night, and Villa, one of the league's biggest names, sees room for similar types of exhibition fixtures in other leagues around the world.

"In Europe, they need to copy this game for the country and for the supporters," Villa said, according to The Mercury News.

"Why not?" he added, when asked about the prospect of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid players combining for a friendly fixture in La Liga.

Villa's suggestions are not unheard of in Europe, with the French Ligue 1 considering a similar match of its own for next season. French Football League (LFP) executive director general Didier Quillot said preliminary plans for a Ligue 1 All-Star game are in place, too.

"The principle of a project such as an All-Star Game was adopted," Quillot said, according to ESPN FC. "The date, the place, and the broadcaster are still to be clarified."

Major League Soccer's All-Star Game has been played every season since the league was founded in 1996, though the initial format saw two teams formed of players in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively.

Since 2005, the MLS All-Star team has welcomed European opposition instead, and Villa said he has seen growth in the league over the years.

"The league is growing and this is very nice for the league, not only for the players," Villa said, according to MLSsoccer.com. "And I think this game is one of the best (things) we can do for growing this league. The game is being shown all over the world because it's an amazing game of soccer and people want to see this game."