Premier League legend completes fairytale story as he scores in play-off final to lead hometown club back to LaLiga after 24-year absence

Daily Mail​

3 hours ago

Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla completed a fairytale swansong with his hometown club Real Oviedo as they returned to LaLiga after a 24-year absence.
Cazorla, 40, gained legendary status at the Emirates after playing 180 times for the club between 2012 and 2018, during a period in which he won two FA Cups.
The attacking midfielder, who has also played for the likes of Villarreal and Malaga, originally came through the youth ranks at Oviedo before joining Villarreal aged 17.
He returned to the club in 2023 after a three-year spell in Qatar and on Saturday he kick-started a dramatic comeback as Oviedo won the LaLiga 2 play-off final.
Taking on Mirandes, who they finished level on points with in the regular season, across a two-legged tie, Oviedo lost 1-0 in the first leg last Sunday.
Things got off to a disastrous start in the second leg as they went 1-0 behind, but Cazorla gave his side hope when he converted a penalty late in the first half.
Ilyas Chaira then levelled the tie in the second half, before it went to extra-time with the scores at 2-2 on aggregate.
However, Oviedo - who lost in last season's play-off final - ensured lightning wouldn't strike twice as Francisco Portillo scored a stunning winner in the 103rd minute to lead Cazorla's side to promotion and back to LaLiga for the first time since 2001.
It was a dramatic way to end the campaign, with Mirandes having two men sent off, while Oviedo ended with 10 and their victory sparked jubilant celebrations at full-time.
Tearful Oviedo fans invaded the pitch and Cazorla looked delighted and was spotted kissing his wife Ursula.
The 40-year-old had previously scored the winner in the play-off semi-final against Almeria, netting a free-kick after coming off the bench.
The victory completed a remarkable story for Cazorla, who had been forced to leave Oviedo in 2003 amid financial issues which destroyed their academy and led to the first team dropping down to the third tier of Spanish football.
However, his love for the club remained and when Oviedo faced financial issues a decade later, Cazorla purchased shares to help keep the team alive.
When Cazorla then returned in 2023, he wanted to go unpaid, but league rules meant he had to earn a minimum salary of £80,000-per-year.
The 40-year-old is out of contract at the end of this month and it remains to be seen whether he will continue his playing career, with Cazorla having previously outlined his desire to head into coaching, something that has been mooted at Arsenal.
The fact Cazorla is still playing is testament to his desire and mental toughness given he faced 11 operations to cure an Achilles injury he suffered in October 2016.
The issue almost caused Cazorla to lose his leg due to an infection and he was once told by doctors he should be happy to walk again, never mind play.
Across numerous operations, some of his arm and hamstring muscle was used to rebuild the tendon.
Cazorla also won 81 caps for Spain, winning Euro 2008 and 2012, although he missed La Roja's 2010 World Cup success due to injury.