Former Spain midfielder Cazorla retires at 41

Santi Cazorla, the former Arsenal and Spain playmaker, has retired from professional football at the age of 41. The diminutive midfielder concluded his extensive career with his local club, Real Oviedo, where he played his final season in the Spanish top flight after helping them reach La Liga in 2025.

In a heartfelt video message shared on X, Cazorla expressed his feelings about ending his career at home: “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.” His career saw him develop through Oviedo's youth ranks before moving to Villarreal, then joining Arsenal in 2012.

During his six-year tenure at Arsenal, Cazorla won two FA Cups in 2014 and 2015. He also achieved significant international success, lifting the European Championship with Spain in 2008 and 2012. However, a recurring injury issue prevented him from participating in Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph.

Following his time in London, Cazorla returned to Villarreal, played for Qatar's Al Sadd, and then rejoined Real Oviedo in the second division in 2023. Real Oviedo highlighted his commitment, noting he returned earning the minimum allowed salary and donated all his image rights. He requested that 10 percent of his jersey sales support the club's youth academy. The club expressed a wish for him to continue with them in a role that brings him joy.

“

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