Cazorla’s last stand - the hero who refused to let Oviedo die

It took nearly 24 years — 8,750 long, painful days — but Real Oviedo have finally found their way back to the top. The scars left behind by that fateful match at Son Moix in 2001, where Mallorca pushed them into a downward spiral, have finally begun to heal.

Their journey has been anything but smooth. After dropping out of the top flight, things only got worse. The 2002–03 season brought another relegation, this time compounded by administrative chaos that saw the club fall all the way to the Third Division. Drowning in debt and abandoned by a city council that tried to replace them with a new club, Oviedo were left fighting for survival. It was the fans — loyal and relentless — who refused to let the club die. Through protests, fundraisers, and sheer willpower, they kept the dream alive.

On the pitch, things were just as bleak. There were years of stagnation in the Segunda B, and even a shocking drop into the fourth tier. The first glimmer of hope came in 2008 — fittingly, again at Son Moix — where they defeated Mallorca B and began their climb back.

A turning point came in 2012 when Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim stepped in, investing heavily and becoming the majority shareholder. His involvement stabilized the club financially, setting the foundation for sporting progress. That foundation paid off with a return to professional football, confirmed by a towering David Fernandez header at the Ramon de Carranza stadium.

The next leap came under the stewardship of Grupo Pachuca, who took control three years ago. Their impact was immediate and measurable. Last season, Oviedo reached the playoff final but fell short. This year, they went one better.

Guided by club legend Santi Cazorla and revived under the leadership of Veljko Paunovic — the same Paunovic who once experienced Oviedo’s relegation as a player in 2001 — the team put together an unbeaten final stretch: seven wins and three draws. He replaced Javi Calleja with just ten matches left, and his bold appointment proved to be inspired rather than risky.

Oviedo fans owe a nod of gratitude to Deportivo La Coruna as well, whose own success indirectly paved the way for this promotion. And now, after decades of false starts and heartbreak, Asturias has a team back in La Liga. For a generation that has never seen their club face Spain’s elite, the dream is finally real.

Real Oviedo are back. Not just in the First Division — but back where they belong.