Santi Cazorla, the Arsenal hero, has revealed his unwavering passion for football, stating that he would happily play for free if possible. The 39-year-old midfielder recently returned to Real Oviedo, the club he joined as an eight-year-old, after spending two decades away.
Cazorla’s illustrious career has spanned several clubs, including Villarreal, Recreativo Huelva, Malaga, and Arsenal, where he spent six memorable years. He also enjoyed successful stints with Al-Sadd in Qatar before returning to his roots at Oviedo.
Despite having previously dreamed of playing for Oviedo during his youth, the club’s financial struggles prevented him from doing so. However, things have now changed, and Cazorla is cherishing every moment of his return.
Reflecting on a disallowed goal he scored for Oviedo against Alcorcón, Cazorla shared the intense emotions he felt, saying, “The goal I’ve lived with most feeling. And I had already celebrated.”
He added, “He (the referee) said: ‘I’m really sorry to rule this out.’ He was from Huelva and said: ‘We have great memories of you.’ But, you know what? Nothing can take that moment away, even if VAR did.”
Cazorla’s return to Oviedo was partly inspired by his wife, Ursula Santirso. He said, “I would play for free but you’re not allowed. 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.’ I called my agent: ‘I don’t want any money .’ I told the president: minimum salary, 10% of shirt sales to the academy. It was done that night.”
Despite accepting a minimum salary, Cazorla’s earnings still amount to a substantial £80,000 per year, a far cry from the £173 million Cristiano Ronaldo earns annually at Al-Nassr.
Cazorla’s career statistics are impressive, with notable achievements at various clubs:
– Villarreal: 330 games, 57 goals, 57 assists
– Arsenal: 180 games, 29 goals, 45 assists, 2x FA Cups, 2x Community Shield
– Al Sadd: 97 games, 39 goals, 36 assists, 2x Qatar league titles, 2x Qatar Cup
– Malaga: 42 games, 9 goals, 8 assists
– Recreativo Huelva: 34 games, 5 goals, 0 assists
– Real Oviedo: 21 games, 0 goals (1 disallowed), 3 assists
– Spanish National Team: 81 games, 15 goals, 11 assists, 2x European Championships
Cazorla is now focused on his “greatest challenge” of guiding Oviedo back to the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2001. Despite a difficult start to the season, he acknowledges the responsibility that comes with it.
He said, “I’ve been treated so well everywhere – at Arsenal everyone loves me, at Villarreal the same, at Recre, at Málaga … but the feeling and responsibility is deeper. People called it a step back, nothing to gain, but it’s the complete opposite. The responsibility is being up to that.”
Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups, Cazorla shared his admiration for current manager Mikel Arteta, recognizing his potential early on.
He said, “Injured, watching games together, he would get the remote and pause it. ‘What are you doing?’ He would say: ‘Go back, go back’, rewind 30 seconds, and ask: ‘What do you see?’ ‘I see a paused screen! What do you want me to see?!’ He 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. The match has finished and we’re still in the 20th minute. I’m thinking: ‘What’s with this guy?’ He sees it. I love football but I don’t. I think it’s a gift.”
Cazorla expressed his gratitude towards Arsenal, saying, “I owe them a lot, they hold a special place.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal continues to seek a world-class striker to bolster their squad ahead of next season. Manager Mikel Arteta has shortlisted potential targets, including Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Joshua Zirkzee, and Xavi Simons.
