Domestic cup competitions can give young players a valuable opportunity to step into first-team football, as Real Oviedo's call-up of 16-year-old Enzo Cazorla illustrates.

Ahead of taking on CD Numancia, head coach Julian Calero has included a familiar name in the matchday squad, and it is 16-year-old Enzo Cazorla.

The young attacker is the son of former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla, who scored a memorable free-kick in the 2014 FA Cup final as Arsenal came from behind to beat Hull City 3-2.

Cazorla Jr has earned his first senior matchday squad inclusion after progressing through Real Oviedo's youth ranks and gaining experience with Oviedo Vetusta.

Enzo Cazorla earns maiden Real Oviedo first-team call-up

Enzo saw his father, Santi Cazorla, represent Real Oviedo during their 2025-26 La Liga campaign after the club secured promotion from the second division.

The former Spain international made 28 La Liga appearances before bringing his playing career to an end at the age of 41, leaving Enzo to pursue his own path in football.

Enzo was born in 2009, when Santi was playing for Villarreal in Spain's top flight, and has since begun following a similar path in football.

The older Cazorla also began his career at Real Oviedo but never managed a single senior appearance until 2023, when he returned with the aim of ending his career with them.

For any young footballer growing up in Asturias, breaking into the professional setup of Real Oviedo represents the ultimate dream.

That dream moved one step closer for Enzo after he was named in the senior matchday squad for the club's upcoming Copa del Rey clash against CD Numancia.

Having impressed coaches with his technical quality, tactical awareness, and versatility across the flanks and midfield for the youth and reserve teams, Cazorla's inclusion highlights the club's ongoing commitment to nurturing regional talent.

Who is Enzo Cazorla? Inside Santi Cazorla’s son’s football journey

Enzo is a product of Real Oviedo’s academy, who played a leading role for the Juvenil B side that won its league in 2025–26.

He joined Real Oviedo in 2023, following his father's return to the club, and has progressed through the academy ranks since then.

While in the academy, the youngster has also gained experience in Division de Honor and international youth tournaments such as the Olympia Future Cup (organized by Ajax).

In May 2026 he signed his first professional contract with Oviedo (running to 2028), securing his future as he moved toward the Juvenil A team.

He is as a technical, associative attacking midfielder or left winger (capable of playing centrally or wide) who combines well, arrives in dangerous areas, and shows quality in 1v1 situations and progressive play.

How the Copa del Rey can create opportunities for young players

The opening rounds of the Copa del Rey traditionally offer managers a crucial platform to rest regular league starters while casting an eye toward the future.

By bringing youngsters like Cazorla into the senior travelling party, the coaching staff can evaluate how emerging prospects handle the physical demands, travel, and pre-match environment of professional first-team football.

Should he make his competitive debut, it will mark a significant milestone in the teenager's burgeoning career and make him one of the youngest players in the history of the Spanish outfit.

Exposure to the first-team environment could help Enzo's development, giving him experience of the standards and expectations at senior level.

His inclusion gives him an opportunity to gain experience around the senior squad, although any further first-team opportunities will depend on the coaching staff's decisions and his continued development.

What young footballers can learn from Enzo Cazorla’s journey

Young players should make the most of every training opportunity, particularly when stepping into a senior environment. Approaching each session with focus, intensity and a willingness to learn can help them earn the coaching staff's trust.

Learning from experienced players can help young footballers develop their tactical understanding and mental resilience. Having watched his father represent Real Oviedo, Enzo has had the opportunity to observe the demands of senior football at close quarters.

Young players must also recognise that a maiden call-up is only the beginning. Sustained progress requires continued effort, consistency and a willingness to learn. They must keep working and remain consistent in their performance levels to maintain their first-team status.