“I had in mind to finish like this, that people had the thorn that maybe I could play more”

If in the first part of this interview Santi Cazorla left the door open to the Arsenal bench, along with Arteta, in the future or showed his conviction about the capabilities of Xavi Hernández to lead Barça, just as he doubted his own (“I don't know if it would be worth it, I laugh a lot”he joked). In this second and last fragment he reviews his entire career with AS. From the best of perspectives, yours.

In this way, it solves an unknown: Why did you go to Qatar when you did? It also answers many other questions: his 'almost' signing for Real Madrid; the mixed feelings after two years in the dry dock for the happy injury; institutional problems in his time at Malaga; or the lights and shadow, in the singular, that surround his passage through the Selection. Without ceasing to touch current issues such as VAR or venturing to admit that it has ever crossed his mind use some trick when taking a penalty.

He always said that when he was not feeling full he would step to the side. He would be one of the few who thought he was not at that 100% … He would not be short of offers.

Especially from Villarreal. They wanted me to continue. When I made the decision not to continue, I looked for alternatives outside of Spain. I think it was the most beautiful moment to quit, having performed at a high level and helping the team to be in Europe. He had in mind to finish like this, satisfied, happy and that people would be left with the thorn that he could play more. That's how I thought about it and I think it was the best for everyone.

How do you remember that game against Eibar?

Many emotions. Too bad there were no people. In addition, it was also the farewell to Bruno, who has shared many things with me since he was young and it would have been much more beautiful to say goodbye in front of our people. But hey, it couldn't. Still it was nice, we had a great game and Bruno and I were able to enjoy minutes together. We both would have dreamed it. It is something that I will always remember and I have to be very grateful to Villarreal.

The team of your life?

Luckily, all the teams have given me great things. I owe a lot to Recre. Nobody loved me and they bet on me. I was hardened as a footballer and I was able to return to Villarreal as an important player. We had an impressive season in Malaga. It was a shame that the project did not continue. It was a very beautiful year: we entered the Champions League for the first time. Arsenal is a very special club for me. I have been recognized a lot more once I have played there. The love they have given cannot be returned and I have a thorn in them for not having fired me playing football due to the injury. But it is clear that Villarreal has been very important. He gave me the opportunity to play in Primera when I was in Oviedo and then they opened the doors of their house to help me get back to football. I will be eternally grateful.

When you were called for the 2018 preseason, did you see it as an opportunity to come back or was he just testing himself?

Juan Carlos (Herranz, physiotherapist), Arturo (Martínez, physical trainer), Mikel (Sánchez, doctor), they all knew that my goal was to return to the highest level. I always said that to go back and be in the background I was going to put myself aside. At Villarreal, when they saw me the first day they expected something else. I knew I was going to surprise them. I trained very hard in Salamanca with the physical trainer and he told me so himself. So it was. The first day Calleja came and told me that something else was expected: “I see you very well. It is clear that you lack physical form, but I see you at a good football level ”. It was a joy, but it was also a bit scary. Training for only two years and seeing myself with a group again… it was something that made me wonder if I was ready. It gave me respect at first, but I enjoyed it because it's the feeling I've been looking for for a long time.

You must impose that return, were you not afraid of the first innings?

No. My only fear was that people would see that I was not up to par. I was never afraid. What's more, the coach made me start in the first game, something that was unthinkable for me. I had good feelings, but I was afraid I would be seen differently. He had a bit of that respect for having been two years without playing and being before 15,000 people again at La Cerámica. When the game started I broke free.

Have you ever said that you have a tendency to use your left leg more. Has this enhanced your ‘ambidextrousness’?

Can be. You always protect your weaknesses. Now all my pains are in my left leg. The right never hurts (laughs). The tendon is perfect and the right I think suffers much less muscularly. The body is intelligent and releases it unconsciously. I try to use the left more because it has changed my hitting and my dynamics a bit.

Has the use of both legs always worked or is it innate?

I've worked on it a lot, but since I was little I used my bad leg quite well. He has helped me a lot in football. It's not that he's a very strong or fast player, but using both legs makes you think faster.

I don't know if you saw Dembélé's penalty in the Super Cup, are you considering using a similar trick?

(Laughs) I've ever considered throwing it with my left. I have never dared, but many times I have thought about it. But what if I fail? I'll tell myself why change. I saw Dembélé do it the other day. You can mislead the goalkeeper. You have to look for the advantages of the shooter.

Engraving remains. If you dare and fail, you already have someone to blame …

If one day I do it and fail, the culprit is you (laughs).

How did you see the Super Cup, did it surprise you?

No, I know the teams of Marce and Barça has always been in trouble. He knew the game would be tied. Barcelona have great players, but Athletic compete in those matches and Marce prepares them very well, even if it has been 15 days. The finals are decided by details and Athletic took better care of them and they deserve it. Today I congratulated Marcelino. It is not normal to start so well and it is to be happy.

There is a general feeling that their level after the injury is higher or, at least, similar to the previous one. Do you have that same feeling?

I may have improved my maturity by reading games. In the end, the physique is accompanying you less or the people who come from below tighten and you have to think faster, get better. So I think my level has been maintained or equaled. I have been able to read the games better. Not doing so much physical effort and saving myself. It is something that one learns over the years.

He even returns with the National Team …

It was a dream to play football again, imagine thinking about wearing the National Team shirt again at 35 years old. I even have the thorn in that he suspended the Eurocup, because I think he had quite a few options to be in the group. After that ordeal, it was unimaginable. I really enjoyed coming back, even scoring a goal again with La Roja. It is priceless and I can only thank Luis Enrique and Robert Moreno, who trusted me.

It would have been a safe bet. It takes 2/2 in Eurocopas …

(Laughs) Yeah, but I don't know if it would have been 3/3 if I went. I know that now it is practically impossible being here. But it is something that I had decided and the end I have had in Spain is unbeatable, both in the National Team and at the club level.

Did the postponement influence the decision to leave LaLiga?

No, I already had it. It's a shame, because it would have been a finishing touch, but it had to be suspended for health reasons. The decision was made with my family and that did not make anything change in that regard.

You have always highlighted your mental integrity throughout the injury process, but did you ever have to resort to sports psychology?

No, luckily I didn't have to use that route. It is not a bad thing, they are there to help and doing so does not mean that things go wrong. But the people who have surrounded me on a daily basis have known how to take me. When you go through a process like mine, it is clear that the mental issue is much more important than the physical one. The physical is key, but there is a moment when you stagnate and then the head comes into play. Those who were with me made me think as little as possible about the injury and see the positive side. I am also quite positive. We had downturns and delicate moments, but they didn't last long. We always woke up the next day wanting to move on.

After the injury it has more statistical incidence. Has it come naturally?

I have to thank the VAR very much (laughs). Now there are more penalties that increase my scoring figures. VAR increases the numbers for those of us who shoot penalties. We must be aware of the advantages we have had and I have been able to take advantage of it.

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Is it pro VAR in that case?

Nerd. Not at all. Not even the referees themselves know when to act on occasions. We do not know when it is hand, when not … It is important that they enter some plays, but it is difficult for everyone when the play stops for three minutes … You stay cold on the field and do not understand anything. You have to know how to use it to help.

Unify criteria?

That's it, exactly.

Returning to 'his' Villarreal, how do you see them? They moved fast in the market.

I talk to them daily and it looks great. Unai (Emery) is very important has given him his touch. The signings have been spectacular at the quality-price level. Parejo and Coquelin are exceptional, even though Coquelin is having an injury. Capoué has arrived … And they have people like Gerard Moreno, who I think is the best Spanish striker at the moment. They are at an incredible level. Albiol, Pau (Torres)…, I hope they can maintain the level and do great things.

Some will be an important part of La Roja, do you see Gerard as Luis Enrique's '9'?

I see him as a total footballer. He is a tremendous footballer. I'm not surprised at his level, I saw him every day. Besides he is an incredible boy. By numbers, level and when he has played with the National Team, he is a clear candidate. Iago Aspas is also spectacular, Morata has returned to his level… But Gerard is one of the maximum candidates to be the '9' of the National Team.

The differences now seem to be shorter between clubs …

Yes it's pretty. I think the lack of public affects a bit. Some teams can be affected more or less. But yes, every day everything becomes equal. It is seen in the Premier. It is difficult for the greats to win every weekend. Hopefully this equality will be maintained until the end.

Speaking of the Premier, a year ago he said that Arsenal were the biggest team he had ever played for. Do you have the thorn of that 'almost' signing for Madrid?

No. I've always said it. I do not regret. If in the end it didn't happen, it's because they didn't love me enough. When you are valued … the circumstances happen for something. I have been where they have wanted me. As you well know there were negotiations, it was very close in a couple of seasons. But, due to football circumstances that there is no criticizing or evaluating, it did not happen. I don't think about what might or might not have been. The future has put me where they wanted me and I'm just as happy in that sense.

Has there been any 'other Madrid' in your career?

No. Those who had the opportunity to be made were made. From Villarreal to Malaga, where the club needed money, and from Malaga to Arsenal as well. The project was not going as expected and it was something simple that happened quickly.

How was that transfer to Malaga?

I thought I would spend many years at Villarreal, at home. They valued me. But one day the president called me and told me that there were financial problems and that they had to sell one of the players with 'more cartel'. It was between (Giuseppe) Rossi, Nilmar and me and an important offer came for me. The president called me into his office and told me he was sorry, but that I should accept. Also, it was an interesting project that interested me. Pellegrini was there and there were important footballers … It was a good way to go, helping the club that I consider to be my home and getting to an important and exciting project.

In Malaga it was all short, but intense …

It was a shame. We had great footballers. We all have a WhatsApp group, we always talk about it and it's a shame. You don't know what happened. You do not have an explanation why the project does not go ahead when the objectives are achieved. The first year you enter the Champions League, which was very difficult… They almost reached the semifinals. But hey, due to circumstances the players go: Isco, Monreal … It's a shame for the illusion of the people and how everything was lived in Malaga.

From the inside it was palpable that something was not working institutionally?

Yes, of course it showed. In the end they didn't pay us, we spent months without getting paid, suddenly they paid us a month… We didn't know what was happening, we were meeting our objectives and what was promised was not being fulfilled. One wonders what happens, the explanations were not clear … Nobody told us anything exactly. During the season there were difficult moments, but we managed to evade to achieve the objective of entering Europe.

At least it served as a springboard for Arsenal.

Yes, as I said, it is where I have been valued the most Arsenal and the Premier have much more pull. If you don't play for Barça, Madrid or Atleti, the media level in the newspapers is different. In England they treat all teams more or less the same. I noticed a big change. I entered the club with the right foot. I felt important and they gave me confidence. And the love of the fans continues to show me through networks. It is a thorn not to have said goodbye at the Emirates playing in front of the people. Affection is what I get along best in football above any trophy, goal or important game.

What about Özil, your former partner? You were recently asked about the best eleven teammates you ever had at Arsenal and you were their midfielder.

Yes, he has always held me in high regard, I have sent him a message to wish him luck at Fenerbahce. Mesut is a spectacular footballer, different, with an exquisite left foot. We have shared a lot together and we have a great friendship, it is very easy to get along with him on the pitch. We have really enjoyed playing together.

A shame the way it turned out …

You have to respect the decisions of the club, when you don't know the reasons for what happened you can't give your opinion. They are things that they will know how they have happened and in the end the best possible decision has been made for both parties.

Now it seems they are slowly coming out of the pothole.

Yes, yes … it is a joy and tranquility that results are coming in order to climb positions in the Premier and enter Europe, which is the goal that that club has to set itself. He has a game today with Newcastle, which I will try to see, to see if they can win it (They did, 3-0). By squad and by club I think they have to be higher fighting with big teams.

You have shared a dressing room with a multitude of footballers, but who has surprised / marked you the most?

I have always said it, there has been a footballer who has seemed different to me and that is Juan Román Riquelme. He won matches by himself and I was lucky enough to be with him for two years. It had a higher level.

Do you think it is a little undervalued in the media?

Well … maybe because in Barcelona he did not perform at the expected level and in Villareal, the name that the club has greatly influences the impact that a footballer has. As much as you make it spectacular as he did. In the Argentine team and in Boca he is an idol. Together with Maradona, he is the most beloved in the Bombonera.

At the title level, do you have a particularly painful thorn?

(Smile) Yes, I have one that hurt me a lot, the World Cup in South Africa. the back injury deprived me of something we all dream of, lifting the World Cup. But they are injuries and there I cannot change anything. I was also delighted to see my teammates win.

Now I ask you something more cheerful, how was Luis's call in 2008? Because he went to the European Championship without having debuted with the National Team. Did you expect it?

Oh no, it was a boom! I was leaving training, going home and everyone started calling me. He didn't know why, he wasn't wearing the radio. I think the first one who called me was Hernán, Villareal's press officer: “Santi, you're going to the Euro Cup.” At first I thought it was funny, I said: “Come on, stop joking, I know the list comes out today and I'm not on the list.” “Yes, yes, you are on the list and now some journalists from AS and Marca are going home to take some pictures of you …”. Imagine, in shock… it took me two or three days to assimilate. It was something spectacular.

And not to be a testimonial player, precisely.

It is when I felt most important, then I have played different tournaments: Confederations, the next European Championship, the World Cup in Brazil…, but I never had the role that Luis gave me. It was much more special to me for that reason.

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Any particular moment?

Italy's penalty was beautiful, a lot of pressure because you know what it entails. The curse of the quarterfinals against Italy with Buffon in front … a moment of great pressure, but one that I remember in a very special way. It's what you dream of as a child. Above all, because it turned out well (laughs).

Was it clear that he was shooting?

Yes, yes, in training many times we stayed pulling and Luis always considered me for a set. He called me in the conversation, he told me if I wanted to throw the second and at no time did I hide.

When you look back, what is your best memory at the club level?

Difficult, in Villareal, the Champions semi-final against Arsenal. Although I think it was the club's hardest moment as well, it was the most beautiful, because you see yourself close to playing a Champions League final … At Arsenal I would tell you that the FA Cup final, when we beat Hull City 3-2 and I make the free-kick goal losing 0-2. At Málaga, finishing 4th, playing the last game at home, living that with our fans was something spectacular… It's difficult to be left with just one thing because it would be unfair.

Have you ever said that you have the thorn of Oviedo …

You can say yes, because it is the club in which I grew up and it is the club that I am and will be all my life. They are circumstances that occur in life, one cannot choose them many times either. Hopefully he reaches the First Division, because he deserves it as a hobby and because of how football is lived in the city.

Finally, a couple of curiosities. What is the biggest bulldog you have ever faced? That defensive medium that has not left him alone …

I can tell you that Kanté. You dribbled and he was in front again, that boy was an incredible thing how fast he is and how quickly he regains position. He is also short, like me, and may not impress you as much as others who are stronger.

Who has been your most joking partner?

Well … there's the great Pepe Reina, he's a showman and a spectacular guy who makes a group. You would take it anywhere. Both he and Joaquín, who later met him at Malaga. Another guy with whom you can not get bored in life, I would tell you that they have been very important people in the changing rooms I have been in.