Santi Cazorla received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday evening in what could be his last-ever game against Real Madrid.
The former Arsenal midfielder is in the final month of his contract at his boyhood club Real Oviedo and it has been suggested that the 41-year-old could retire at the end of the season.
Cazorla, who made 180 appearances during his time at Arsenal, faced the prospect of seeing his playing career cut short after an Achilles injury in 2016 required 11 operations to solve.
One of the operations led to gangrene, while doctors told Cazorla that he should be thankful to be able to walk again, let alone play football.
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Cazorla, who was also part of the Spain squad which won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, came on as a substitute in the second half of Real Oviedo’s 2-0 defeat to Madrid and both supporters and players at the Bernabeu welcomed the midfielder with a huge reception.
‘I want to thank Florentino Perez and the staff for the way they welcomed me, it was wonderful,’ Cazorla said after the game.
However, when asked about his future, Cazorla refused to rule out the prospect of continuing his playing career next season.
‘We’ll see. This year I’ve been injury-free, I’ve felt good, and I’ll take a break in the summer,’ Cazorla said.
‘I’ll also look at the team’s project and make a decision.’
When asked if starting the game against Madrid as a substitute was a mutual decision between himself and Real Oviedo head coach Guillermo Almada, Cazorla replied: ‘That’s one way to put it, I’ll explain later. I’m just focused on Sunday and enjoying it with my fans.
‘It’s a special match for me personally, and I’m only focused on Sunday. I’ve never created controversy; I try to contribute. These are things that stay between the coach and me.’
Meanwhile, Almada, says he was unsurprised by the reception Cazorla received at the Bernabeu.
‘It’s not normal to boo players of that calibre,’ he said.
‘I’m not surprised they applaud Santi, he’s a beloved and respected footballer throughout Spain. He’s earned it throughout his career.’
Almada also indicated that Sunday’s game at home to Alaves will be Cazorla’s farewell to the Real Oviedo supporters.
‘I spoke with him before the match, and he prefers to say goodbye as a starter in Sunday’s game at the Tartiere and then play in the second half here,’ Almada said.
‘We discussed it, and it was a mutual decision, so we made that choice.’
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