Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla, born on December 13, 1984, is a distinguished Spanish professional footballer who currently captains La Liga club Oviedo. Renowned for his versatility, Cazorla primarily plays as an attacking midfielder but is also adept as a winger, central midfielder, or deep-lying playmaker.

His professional journey began at Villarreal in 2003, following a promising youth career at his hometown club, Oviedo. After leaving Oviedo due to financial difficulties, he honed his skills at Villarreal before a notable stint at Recreativo de Huelva, where he was pivotal in their top-ten finish during the 2006–07 La Liga season, earning the title of Spain's Footballer of the Year.

In 2011, Cazorla made a significant move to Málaga for a club-record fee of twenty-one million euros, where he established himself as a key player known for his speed and shooting accuracy. The following year, he transitioned to Arsenal in the Premier League for ten million pounds, quickly becoming an integral part of the team and helping to end the club's nine-year trophy drought with a crucial performance in the 2014 FA Cup final.

After facing injury challenges in his later years at Arsenal, Cazorla returned to Villarreal in 2018, achieving his highest appearance and goal tally since 2015. In 2020, he signed with Qatari club Al Sadd, but his heart remained with Oviedo. In 2023, he returned to his roots on a minimal contract to assist the club, playing a vital role in their return to La Liga after twenty-four years in 2025.

On the international stage, Cazorla made his debut for Spain in May 2008 and was a key player in the national team's successes at UEFA Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, as well as participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first international goal against Chile and concluded his international career with eighty-one appearances and fifteen goals.