Arsenal, Villarreal and Malaga icon Santi Cazorla has achieved a lot in the game, including the unanimous affection of all the fanbases he has played for, but finally achieved one of his unfulfilled dreams on Sunday. The 39-year-old turns 40 on Friday, but still scored his first goal for the Carbayones in Segunda.
Oviedo enjoyed a 5-1 win over Racing Ferrol in Galicia on Sunday, continuing their hunt for at least a play-off place this season. Cazorla has said one of his dreams is to help Oviedo back into La Liga for the first time since 2001, and his 42nd-minute penalty gave them the lead.
Cazorla kept it relatively quiet after the match and focused on getting the team three points, but admitted that it was an emotional moment before the penalty, confirming that he had been hoping to score it since before he was a professional footballer.
After three years in Qatari football with Al-Sadd, Cazorla returned to Carlos Tartiere on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. He has played 44 games over the past two seasons, provided 8 assists and now has a goal to his name. Oviedo, led by Javi Calleja, is currently 8th, level with 5 teams on 29 points, down to Asturian rivals Sporting Gijon in fourth.
Considering he's still carrying a lavish delivery, more than a few Arsenal fans buying tickets for their clash with Everton later this week will probably wish he was still at the Emirates for a cameo role.
Comments