Santi Cazorla retires from football at 41

Former Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla retired from football at the age of 41 on Thursday, July 2, 2026, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over two decades. The Asturian playmaker previously played for Arsenal, where he became a fan favorite after winning two FA Cups in 2014 and 2015, and contributed significantly to his local team, Oviedo, which he helped reach La Liga in 2025. Cazorla played his final season with Oviedo in the Spanish top flight.

In a video shared on X, Cazorla reflected on his career, saying, "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 began his professional development in Oviedo’s youth academy before moving to Villarreal, and then to Arsenal in 2012, after spells with Recreativo and Malaga. He was part of the Spanish national team that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, but he missed out on their 2010 World Cup victory due to an injury that plagued him throughout his career.

After an emotional return to Villarreal, Cazorla later signed with the Qatari team Al Sadd before rejoining Oviedo in the second division in 2023. In a press statement, Oviedo noted that Cazorla chose to return by accepting the minimum permissible salary and donated all his image rights to the club. In return, he requested that 10 percent of the sales from his jersey be dedicated entirely to Real Oviedo’s youth academy to support the development of future players.

Oviedo expressed their desire for Cazorla to remain with the club in any capacity that he desires, emphasizing their hope that he continues to find happiness in his next endeavors.