Santi Cazorla Returns to Boyhood Club Real Oviedo
Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla has returned to his boyhood club Real Oviedo after 20 years away. The 39-year-old midfielder is thrilled to be back at the Spanish side he joined at the age of eight.
A Lifelong Dream
Cazorla progressed through Real Oviedo’s youth academy before moving on to Villarreal. While he enjoyed success at other clubs like Arsenal and Villarreal, playing for Oviedo was always a dream. Financial difficulties prevented this dream from becoming a reality earlier in his career.
“The goal I’ve lived with most feeling,” Cazorla said in an interview with The Guardian, reflecting on a goal he scored for Oviedo that was later disallowed by VAR. “I’d waited a very, very long time.”
Playing for Free
Cazorla’s passion for Oviedo is so deep that he revealed he would have played for free if allowed. His wife, Ursula Santirso, encouraged him to focus on enjoying the experience and giving back to the club rather than financial gain.
“I would play for free but you’re not allowed,” Cazorla said. “They made a good offer. My wife said: ‘No, no, you’re not going to Oviedo to earn, you’re going home to enjoy it, to help, to give.’”
He negotiated a minimum salary contract with the club and directed 10% of his shirt sales to the Oviedo academy.
A Bigger Challenge
While returning to Oviedo was a dream come true, Cazorla acknowledges the challenge of helping the team return to La Liga, the Spanish top flight, for the first time since 2001. The team’s slow start to the season and his own fitness struggles added to the pressure.
“The responsibility weighs,” he admitted. “I was a bit scared at first. You don’t know if you’re good enough, which still happens: I’m not at the same level, especially physically.”
Despite the initial difficulties, Oviedo are currently pushing for a playoff spot in Spain’s second division.
Recognizing Potential in Mikel Arteta
Santi Cazorla also spoke about his time at Arsenal, where he played under current manager Mikel Arteta. He revealed Arteta’s analytical approach to the game, which Cazorla found impressive.
“Injured, watching games together, he would get the remote and pause it,” Cazorla said. “[Arteta would say] ‘Look at this guy here, how badly he’s positioned. If he goes here, and he goes there, this space opens’. Every game, pausing every 20 seconds.”
Santi Cazorla concluded the interview by expressing his gratitude to Arsenal, a club that holds a special place in his heart.
