• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Santi Cazorla gets spine-tingling reception on return to Real Oviedo, it's a miracle he's still playing

Home> Football> Football News> Arsenal

Updated 19:04 24 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 18:48 24 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Santi Cazorla gets spine-tingling reception on return to Real Oviedo, it's a miracle he's still playing

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla, 38, recently signed for boyhood club Real Oviedo.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Santi Cazorla finally made his senior debut for boyhood club Real Oviedo on Sunday afternoon, 27 years after he first joined the Carbayones.

After arriving at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in the mid 90's, a young Cazorla was making a name for himself in Oviedo's youth set-up when his time at the club came to an abrupt end.

Oviedo suffered two relegations and the young Spanish midfielder was pushed to leave their academy in 2003 for Villarreal following a 'deep' financial crisis.

Advert

He flourished with the Yellow Submarine across three different spells, making 334 appearances in total, and would later play for the likes of Malaga, Arsenal and more recently Al Sadd.

Now, in a romantic ending to his much-loved career, the 38-year-old has selflessly volunteered to earn the minimum wage at his boyhood club, who play in the second tier of Spanish football.

Cazorla, who has waived all image rights on the premise that 10 per cent of the funds from his shirt sales go towards the youth academy, made his bow against Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Advert

And as expected, the experienced playmaker received a heroes welcome on his return, with all four corners of the stadium handing him a well-deserved standing ovation.

Check out footage of that scene below. How good is this?

It must have been an emotional moment considering the circumstances surrounding his fragile career. Back in 2017, Cazorla spoke of how he almost lost his foot to gangrene after contracting a dangerous infection.

After undergoing several operations to fix the achilles tendon injury he sustained during Arsenal's 6-0 win over Ludogorets, he lost eight centimetres from the tendon in his right ankle.

Advert

In fact, at one stage, doctors said he'd be lucky to be able to walk in the garden with his son.

Several years later and Cazorla is playing for the club he loves, aged 38. “When I was a 9-year-old boy I had the dream of playing in my city, with my people and with my family," he said after signing.

"I had the objective of fulfilling it and it is a challenge that must be accepted. I want to live this experience and be with my people. It was a very easy decision in that regard.

"A lot of people may think I have a lot to lose and nothing to gain, but for me it’s the opposite.”

Advert


Cazorla has played a huge part in Real Oviedo's existence. The former Arsenal man, alongside fellow academy products Juan Mata and Michu, purchased shares in Oviedo back in 2012 in order to keep the club going.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@guillermobano

Topics: Santi Cazorla, Spain, Arsenal

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack is a Senior Journalist who enjoys a long read. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day, and has interviewed a handful of FM's finest, including Freddy Adu, Supat Rungratsamee and Mika Aaritalo.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    5 hours ago

    Nicolas Jackson's agent speaks out after Chelsea request transfer to Bayern Munich is cancelled

    Chelsea have asked Jackson to return to London.

    Football
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    6 hours ago

    Fan footage of 98th minute incident during Man Utd vs Burnley has become big talking point

    United picked up their first win of the season on Saturday.

    Football
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    7 hours ago

    Police issue statement after teenager arrested near Stamford Bridge over imitation firearm

    The boy was arrested after Chelsea's victory over Fulham on Saturday.

    Football
  • Premier LeaguePremier League
    8 hours ago

    Ruben Amorim's reaction before Bruno Fernandes scored last minute penalty vs Burnley speaks volumes

    It was a nervy game at Old Trafford.

    Football
  • Santi Cazorla Proved He's The Most Two-Footed Player Ever With Genius Switch Mid-Corner
  • Footage shows Santi Cazorla taking free kicks with both feet, he is the most two footed player in world football
  • Santi Cazorla set for shock final transfer of his career, wants the perfect ending
  • Granit Xhaka's redemption story was completed with a spine-tingling reception after Chelsea game