Former Arsenal and Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from football at the age of 41, bringing an end to a remarkable career that lasted more than 20 years.
The Asturian star finished his career with his hometown club, Real Oviedo. He played a key role in helping the club win promotion to La Liga in 2025 and stayed for one final season in Spain’s top flight.
In an emotional video on X, Cazorla reflected on his retirement.
“Now that everything is ending, when the boots are being hung up and the noise is turning into silence, everything fits together, because the ending wasn’t just anywhere — I was at home.”
Cazorla started his football journey in Oviedo’s youth academy before joining Villarreal. He later played for Recreativo and Málaga before moving to Arsenal in 2012.
During his six seasons in North London, Cazorla won two FA Cups in 2014 and 2015. His skill, vision and passing made him one of Arsenal’s most popular midfielders.
He also enjoyed great success with Spain, helping his country win the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012. However, injuries ruled him out of Spain’s victorious 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.
After leaving Arsenal, Cazorla returned to Villarreal before joining Qatari club Al Sadd. In 2023, he completed an emotional return to Real Oviedo, who competed in Spain’s second division at the time.
Oviedo praised Cazorla for putting the club first. He accepted the lowest salary allowed under league rules and donated all of his image rights to the club.
Instead, Cazorla asked the club to give 10 per cent of the money from his shirt sales to the Real Oviedo youth academy to support young players.
The club also said it hopes Cazorla will remain at Oviedo in any role he chooses.
His retirement closes the chapter on one of Spain’s most respected midfielders and a player who earned admiration for both his talent and his loyalty.
