Santi Cazorla: The Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
Santi Cazorla, a man in question, once existed.
In the realm of football, stories of resilience and determination are commonplace. But not many can match the heroics of Santi Cazorla, a player who faced the grim prospect of amputation and rose to conquer all odds. A two-time European champion with Spain, Cazorla, now 40, has returned to his youth club Real Oviedo and propelled them to the top league, an achievement that feels straight out of a fairytale.
With moments of sheer drama and nail-biting tension, Cazorla scored the crucial equalizer against CD Mirandés in the final return match for promotion to La Liga. It was in the 39th minute, with the scoreline hanging at 0-1. Referee Miguel Sesma Espinosa had awarded Real Oviedo a penalty after Alberto Reina, the captain of opponents, had blocked a header from close range. With the ball on the penalty spot, Cazorla prepared to take the shot. He took a long run-up, struck the ball flat with his right foot, and netted it in the middle. The goal ignited a frenzy of excitement in the stadium, just when it was needed the most. After all, Real Oviedo had lost the first leg 0-1. The turnaround came at 23:40, with a thrilling 3:1 victory in extra time, securing their promotion back to Spain's top tier after a 24-year wait.
A series of relegations, financial woes, and endless seasons in the lower leagues had marked Real Oviedo's downfall. But Cazorla's return, after spending his youth years with the club, and his subsequent success, brought redemption to the fans and the authorities. For Cazorla, this victory was more than just another trophy. He expressed that promoting Oviedo was akin to winning the first European Championship for him, making it the most important game of his career.
The Agonizing Path to Recovery
Santio Imanol Cazorla's inclusion in the pitch for Real Oviedo last Saturday was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only because he was playing at 40, a rarity for professional footballers, but also because his right leg, ravaged by a near-amputation, had reportedly withstood the rigors of a football match. The ordeal began in 2013, following a blow to his ankle that sparked an unending trail of pain. Initial attempts to grit his teeth and soldier on were driven by his passion, ambition, and his status as a two-time European champion.
However, by autumn 2016, his injury had taken a sinister turn. An infection had spread in the foot region, eroding 8 centimeters of his Achilles tendon. Dr. Mikel Sanchez, his doctor at the time, confessed that the infection had damaged the ankle and eaten away crucial tendon tissue. play for Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup twice and the Community Shield under Arsène Wenger. The injury, Wenger later described as the worst he'd ever seen, grew progressively worse.
Faced with the prospect of losing his leg, Cazorla underwent multiple surgeries to repair his Achilles tendon. Skin from his arm was transplanted into the affected area to aid in the healing process. The operation, a testament to modern medical intervention, lasted over four hours. Post-surgery, he faced months of grueling rehabilitation, with regaining strength and perfecting his balance and proprioception being key elements of his recovery. Despite the searing pain, Cazorla displayed an extraordinary level of determination and perseverance.
His return to competitive sport seemed increasingly distant, with initial hopes of a return in 2018 pushed back to 2019. But Cazorla defied all expectations, returning to training in June 2018, beginning with simple drills and slow, cautious movements. His comeback to competitive international play for Spain and his continued success at club level demonstrate the resilience, grit, and unwavering spirit that have become the hallmarks of his career.
Honoring a Legend
Cazorla's bond with Real Oviedo is unparalleled, making his return to the club emotionally charged for both the player and the fans. Upon his return, he reportedly insisted on playing for the minimum wage of the second division, between 77,000 and 93,000 euros a year. Moreover, he demanded that 10% of the shirt sales with his name be donated to the youth academy. His selflessness and dedication to the club have endeared him to the fans, who believe he's an excellent footballer and even better person.
The circle had come full circle. Cazorla, born near Oviedo, returned to his home turf in Madrid with a dream of promoting Real Oviedo to the first division. “I’m the happiest man in the world,” he expressed during the promotion celebrations. The future holds promise, with the club president Martín Peláez reportedly negotiating an extension for Cazorla. And Alfredo Canteli, the mayor of Oviedo, went a step further, suggesting that Plaza América be renamed Plaza Santi Cazorla, in the heart of the city where the fans' admiration and love for Cazorla continues to grow.
It's a tribute that immortalizes a man who has already earned a prominent place in the history of Real Oviedo, a city with a population of approximately 226,000 inhabitants. The Santi Cazorla story at Real Oviedo will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation among fans for many years to come.
Source: ntv.de
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- FC Arsenal London
[1] Guardian, "Miraculous Santi Cazorla defies gangrene and amputation fears to return to football after 21 months," accessed on May 24, 2023.[2] BBC, "Santi Cazorla: Arsenal midfielder faces amputation after foot infection," accessed on May 24, 2023.
In the European leagues, Santi Cazorla, the former FC Arsenal London player, demonstrated his unyielding spirit by scoring a crucial equalizer in the Spanish league for his youth club Real Oviedo, propelling them to La Liga.
The comeback of Cazorla, who faced a grave health crisis involving a near-amputation, to competitive football serves as a testament to his resilience, grit, and unwavering spirit, much like his feats on the football field for Arsenal.
