NEW YORK ā Will they stay or will they go?
That was the question posed to New York City FC Designated Players Andrea Pirlo and David Villa during the clubās media day in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon.
Both legends are in their final year of their contracts and both are well over 30 years old, with Pirlo clocking in at 37 and Villa now 35. And though both have found success in MLS, both were non-committal about their futures with NYCFC beyond this season, though Villa did say heās in talks with the club about an extension.
Villa is coming off a second NYCFC campaign in which he won the 2016 Landon Donovan MLS MVP after finishing second in the Golden Boot race with 23 goals. His 41 goals over the course of his first two seasons is tied for most in MLS in that span.
āIn soccer, you never know what will happen in a day, in two days,ā the NYCFC captain said. āItās difficult to pontificate because everything changes from the night to the morning. Iām only thinking about playing well, staying strong, to help my team to be good this year.ā
Villa confirmed he is negotiating an extension to his contract, but isnāt concerned about when a deal gets finalized.
āAs I told your [fellow reporters] in a press conference some time ago, we are in talks with the club for an extended contract,ā Villa said. āI donāt care, for one year more or two years more, we donāt know what will happen in the future. My mind is only thinking about day by day and working strong.ā
Patrick Vieira, who is beginning his second season as NYCFC coach, was also nonchalant about Villaās future with the club. He said itās likely more a matter of when than if Villa returns.
āI think David wants to sign; we want to keep him. Itās easy,ā Vieira said. āWe donāt want him to go anywhere -- we want him to stay, the family is really happy. All the parts want to work together. Itās just a question of time and to see what is going to happen. Leave the time to the time.ā
Pirlo reportedly is mulling this as his final year playing professionally, and is considering possibly going into coaching. In his first full season ā and second overall ā with NYCFC, the maestro proved one of the leagueās leaders with 11 assists.
āI donāt know if it will be my last season. Now I think about playing and playing well for the club. When it will be the time, Iāll decide the future,ā Pirlo said. āI donāt know. I think to play now. After I donāt know what will be my future. Itās important to play well. After this season, I decide if I continue to play or come back to Italy to retire.ā
Both Villa and Pirlo went the full 90 in NYCFC's 1-0 loss at Orlando last Sunday. They'll return to action this Sunday when New York City host D.C. United at Yankee Stadium (2 pm ET; MLS LIVE).