Cazorla's fairytale farewell with boyhood club Oviedo
As Santi Cazorla prepares for the final season of his illustrious career with boyhood club Real Oviedo, the heartfelt words of his son Enzo continue to inspire the 40-year-old football legend.
During a grueling two-year injury hiatus that nearly cost him his leg due to severe ankle complications, Cazorla's greatest motivation came from his family—particularly his son's simple wish: to see his father play again.
A Family's Unwavering Support
Enduring 636 days sidelined, 11 surgeries, and a life-threatening gangrene infection that eroded his Achilles tendon, Cazorla contemplated retirement. But the encouragement from his wife Ursula, son Enzo (now 15), and daughter India (12) kept him fighting.
"There were moments I'd call my family and say, 'I'm done. After a year of this, I just want to be with you,'" Cazorla shared with BBC Sport. "But my son would say, 'No, Dad—please keep trying. Tomorrow will be better. I want to see you play again.' Those words became my daily strength."
The Fairytale Finale
Now, Cazorla's career comes full circle as he helps Oviedo—the club he left in 2003 without a first-team appearance—return to La Liga after a 24-year absence. Their promotion via the Segunda Division play-offs last season sets the stage for a storybook ending.
"This is my last season," Cazorla admitted. "My body is telling me it's time. But to play for my childhood club in the top division? That’s a dream realized."
The Injury That Nearly Ended It All
Cazorla's resilience was tested after a 2013 ankle injury with Spain spiraled into a medical nightmare. Multiple surgeries led to an infection that destroyed 11cm of his Achilles tendon. Doctors warned he might never walk normally again—let alone play.
"My ankle became a jigsaw puzzle," Cazorla recalled. Surgeons even grafted skin from his tattooed left arm (bearing his daughter's name) to reconstruct his right ankle.
Arsenal's Doubts and Villarreal's Redemption
Despite his determination, Arsenal declined to renew his contract in 2018 after his lengthy recovery. "They didn't believe I could return to top form," he said. Undeterred, Cazorla proved them wrong with 86 appearances at Villarreal.
Yet he holds no bitterness: "Arsenal was the best decision of my career. If they call me after retirement, my door is open."
Oviedo's Renaissance
Cazorla's return to Oviedo in 2022 was symbolic. Accepting minimum wage (£80,000/year) with 10% of shirt sales funding the academy, he became the catalyst for their historic promotion during the club's centenary year.
His pivotal free-kick against Almería and clutch penalty in the playoff final completed a dramatic 3-2 aggregate comeback against Mirandés.
Legacy Beyond Football
Despite his achievements—two European Championships with Spain, FA Cups with Arsenal—Cazorla shuns the "symbol" label: "I'm just a player trying to help. I want to be remembered as a good person, not just a footballer."
As Oviedo prepares for a dream La Liga opener against Villarreal (followed by Real Madrid at home), Cazorla reflects: "Now I savor every moment—the training, the travel, the fans. When you're young, you don't notice these things. At 40, you cherish them all."
His final act? Ensuring Oviedo's future shines as brightly as its past.