There aren’t too many footballers in the world that are universally loved.

However, Santi Cazorla is one of them.

The diminutive Spaniard is just a joy to watch.

What makes him even more loveable is the fact that he’s overcome a career-threatening injury and is still playing at the very highest level at the age of 34.

And that was clear to see on Tuesday evening.

Cazorla’s Villarreal side were taking on Barcelona at the Camp Nou and found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann and Arthur.

That was until Cazorla pulled one back with an absolute screamer just before half-time.

Check it out:

It’s so great to see Cazorla still enjoying football after all that he’s been through.

Back on September 10, 2013 during a friendly between Spain and Chile, Cazorla withdrew injured after injuring his ankle. It caused a fissure in the bone.

Cazorla still remembers what doctors in England said to him.

"If you get to walk again with your son in the garden, be satisfied, they told me,” Cazorla recalls.

He had EIGHT surgeries in one year on that ankle and he picked up an infection. It led to the midfielder having to have a skin graft on his ankle from his arm.

When he left Arsenal, it looked as though his football career might be over

But his first club - Villarreal - gave him a lifeline. And, rather incredibly, he played 35 out of 38 La Liga matches last season.

He didn’t just play them, he looked back to his very best.

And he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

News Now - Sport News