Real Oviedo owes its place in the promotion playoff final to Asturian Santi Cazorla. Here’s the story of a 40-year-old who now prefers to score goals with his left foot rather than sit in a wheelchair.
Santi Cazorla is a special guy. He was European champion in 2008 and 2012, and in 2016 he almost had his right leg amputated due to serious complications following an injury. The Spaniard, who is only 5’6″, fought his way back, became a key player for his former club Villarreal in his later years, and after three more years with Al-Sadd in Qatar, he decided to return home.
To Spanish second division club Real Oviedo, where it all began for him. That was in August 2023, and Cazorla was already 38 years old at the time.
Decisive goal against Almeria
And because the Spaniard is always good for a surprise, he even asked a question himself during the interview. “Am I right-footed or left-footed after that shot?” he grinned at the Movistar presenter. Moments earlier, he had scored the equalizer in the Spanish promotion playoff semifinal second leg against UD Almeria. It was a goal that ultimately secured his team’s place in the final and paved the way to La Liga. Oviedo had won the first leg 2-1.
Cazorla answered the question himself. “I’m actually right-footed, but after the injury I lost confidence in that foot. That’s why I feel more comfortable with my left,” he explained. The 40-year-old had only come on at half-time, and four minutes later he fired the ball into the corner of the net from 18 meters out.
Oviedo lost their composure – their fan favorite had become the decisive figure. “The goal belongs to the fans,” said the dribbling artist, who was celebrated extensively by 30,000 fans after the match.
Cazorla earns 91,000 euros – because less is not possible
If promotion is achieved, it would be “the perfect end to my career; these people here deserve it” for Cazorla. A good point – because he himself earns next to nothing. “I would play for free, but that’s not allowed,” he explained on his return to his hometown in Asturias in northern Spain. That’s why he now plays for the minimum salary of €91,000 per year and has secured a guarantee that ten percent of the proceeds from his jersey sales will go to the club’s youth department.
Oviedo had actually made him a decent offer, but Cazorla turned it down. “My wife said, ‘No, you’re not going there to earn money, you’re going there to have fun, to give and to help,’” he said. “I called my agent and told him I didn’t want any money.” That same evening, he signed a one-year contract, which was extended by another year in the summer of 2024.
Eight centimeters and eight operations
Cazorla has long since made up for the 636 days he once had to take off due to his serious injury. He is still playing, even though an eight-centimeter piece of his Achilles tendon had to be reconstructed. To do so, he had skin transplanted from his forearm. He chose a piece that had his daughter’s name tattooed on it. He had to undergo eight operations.
Last Sunday, Oviedo lost the first leg of the final 0-1 at CD Mirandes, with Cazorla ruled out of the game at short notice. The return leg will be played at home at the Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere next Saturday, hopefully with the star substitute back in action. Oviedo last played in the top flight 25 years ago.
Cazorla, who used to be a ball boy at the club, made it quite clear what promotion would mean to him. “Getting promoted with Oviedo would be like winning my first European championship.”
And if they succeed? Will Cazorla then be back in La Liga? “I’ve taken a few breaks and might take another one soon,” he said, referring to his difficult period. “I play for two years, then take a two-year break – for as long as I can.”
