Oviedo's centenary: A celebration of past and present glory at the Tartiere
Real Oviedo marked 100 years with a star-studded reunion that brought together club legends spanning six decades, from 1960s heroes to current star Santi Cazorla.
A magical two-hour celebration where Oviedo supporters closed their eyes and rewound time, reconnecting with some of the greatest figures in the club’s storied history.
Stars of yesterday and today unite
The Carlos Tartiere pitch became a meeting point for generations spanning from the 1960s to the present day. The reunion featured an impressive lineup including:
- Marianín, the top scorer in La Liga during the 1972-73 campaign
- The legendary duo of Carlos Muñoz and Hicks
- Icons who shone in the elite and later returned to rescue the club like Esteban and Michu
- Heroes who battled for the badge during the club’s darkest years
- Players who helped secure Oviedo’s return to professional football
The present couldn’t have been better represented than by Santi Cazorla, who shared the pitch with all these legends.
Emotional homecomings
It took 30 years for Nenad Gracan, the elegant midfielder who lit up the old Tartiere in the early 90s, to return to Oviedo. Other historical figures answering the call from APARO and Fondo Norte included Dely Valdés, ‘Tito’ Pompei, Abel Xavier, and Franck Rabarivony, creating a magical day that united Oviedo supporters around their idols.
”We’re not materialists, we’re sentimentalists”
Esteban, who knows what it means to love the blue badge, explained why it was easy to gather so many stars: “We’re not a club of major trophies, we’re not materialists, but we’re very sentimental.”
This sentiment was echoed by Gracan: “I was born in Rijeka and played there, it’s my home, but Oviedo is equally important to me.” Meanwhile, Pompei went even further, declaring: “Oviedo is my place in the world.”
Respecting the club’s identity
Abel Xavier used the occasion to share wisdom about the club’s future: “This club matters because it’s deeply connected with its people. You can’t lose that identity.”
The Portuguese defender emphasized that despite modern football becoming increasingly commercial, Oviedo must maintain its core pillars. From the academy to the first team, everyone must understand the club’s essence.
Looking forward
Cazorla, who received the loudest cheers, had the privilege of sharing the pitch with many players who were his childhood idols – the same stars he used to retrieve balls for as a young academy lad. Now, he faces the task of helping the team secure survival to celebrate their centenary in Spain’s top flight.
The celebration perfectly captured what makes Oviedo special – not a club defined by silverware, but by heart, passion and an unbreakable bond between players and supporters that spans generations.