They say age is just a number and football never seize to surprise us. Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has been named as a surprise member of Spain’s squad.
The 34-year-old Villarreal midfielder has been called up for European qualifying games against the Faroe Islands and Sweden in June, four years after his last call-up.
Cazorla was sidelined for 636 days and Arsene Wenger said the player’s horrific Achilles injury was the worst he had seen.
There were also knee, foot and ankle injuries, but 10 operations later and a risk of losing his leg he is back with the national team in Luis Enrique’s 23-man job.
📅 Aug 2016: Cazorla plays final game for Arsenal after picking up multiple long term injuries.
📅 Oct 2018: Cazorla makes his first appearance for Villarreal.
📅 May 2019: Cazorla returns to the Spain squad!
It's been a long road but couldn't be happier for him. 👏 pic.twitter.com/1qlGk3DMU6
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) May 17, 2019
Cazorla has rolled back the years this season and rediscovered his best form for the Yellow Submarine, making 45 appearances this season, scoring seven goals.