Cazorla’s incredible Qatar statistics

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 17 May 2021 20:26 BST
• 2 min read

Like many have in recent times, Santi Cazorla left European shores last summer to continue his footballing journey in the Middle East with the Xavi-led Al-Sadd in Qatar.

It’s not been simply a cash grab, however, as the ex-Arsenal and Villarreal man has been exceptional.

Joining the likes of Yacine Brahimi and Jonathan Kodjia in the division, Cazorla has proven that age is simply just a number, and at 36-years-old, he’s oozed the class he displayed so often in Europe.

Under the coaching of his former Spain team-mate Xavi, Cazorla has found the net 12 times and contributed 11 assists in just 21 games in all competitions this season, helping Al-Sadd to a nine point lead at the top of the league.

He earned the player of the month award in both September and October 2020, and it’s clear that Cazorla came to light up the Qatar Stars League, rather than to find a retirement home.

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The Emir Cup final win over Al-Arabi ensured Cazorla won his first trophy in the Far East, and with their lead at the top of the table looking unassailable, a second may be on its way soon.

His recovery from the Achilles injury that saw him miss 618 days of action between 2016 and 2018 has been incredible, and he’s more than made up for lost time with a scintillating two years in La Liga at Villarreal, and an excellent start to life in Qatar.

A fan favourite at the Emirates and the Estadio de la Cerámica, Cazorla has hit the ground running in Qatar, but with the talent he possesses, was it ever in doubt?