Santi Cazorla admitted it is ‘really special’ to ‘feel like a footballer again’ after appearing for Villarreal in a friendly against Hercules.
The former Arsenal playmaker made his first appearance in 636 days after his last outing in October 2016 after a serious of ankle injury problems.
“I feel like a footballer again, it’s really special,” Cazorla told Villarreal club media.
“It has been a really promising few months and the help from everyone during that time will remain with me for the rest of my life, and many have given me the strength to carry through.
“Coming on in a match was almost unthinkable 20 months ago and now I just want to find the rhythm to play football regularly as it is what I love.”
Cazorla had to undergo eight operations while he previously explained that doctors had told him he would be lucky to walk again.