Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary playing career at the age of 41.
Cazorla confirmed his decision with an emotional video on social media after spending the final three seasons of his career at boyhood club Real Oviedo.
The Spaniard’s career spanned 25 years and included memorable spells at Real Oviedo, Villarreal, Recreativo Huelva, Malaga, Arsenal, Al Sadd and a return to Oviedo.
His farewell message reflected on a journey that began as a young boy playing football in his native Asturias before ending where it all started.
“It started with a ball and a kid who wanted to play football,” Cazorla said.
“I had great moments and difficult ones, but I never stopped trying.”
“I came back not to close a chapter, but to feel it again.”
“I’ve finished at home, where the magic began.”
For Arsenal supporters, Cazorla will be remembered as one of the club’s most gifted midfielders of the modern era.
He joined the Gunners from Malaga in 2012 and quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his outstanding technical ability, intelligence and remarkable two-footedness.
Cazorla made 180 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 29 goals and producing countless memorable performances across six seasons in north London.
He also helped the club win two FA Cups and played a key role in ending Arsenal’s nine-year wait for a major trophy in 2014.
His time at the Emirates was ultimately overshadowed by a devastating Achilles injury suffered in 2016.
The injury developed into a serious infection that required multiple operations and at one stage raised fears that he might never play football again.
Despite those setbacks, Cazorla completed one of football’s most remarkable comebacks.
He returned to Villarreal in 2018 before spending three seasons with Al Sadd in Qatar.
The midfielder then fulfilled a lifelong ambition by returning to Real Oviedo in 2023.
His homecoming produced another memorable chapter as he helped guide Oviedo back to La Liga in 2025 after a 24-year absence from Spain’s top flight.
Although the club were relegated the following season, Cazorla remained a central figure and continued to earn admiration from supporters across Spanish football.
Internationally, he won 81 caps for Spain, scored 15 goals and lifted the European Championship trophy in both 2008 and 2012 during one of the country’s greatest eras.
Attention will now turn to what comes next for Cazorla.
The former Arsenal star has previously spoken about his admiration for Mikel Arteta’s work and has admitted he would be interested in coaching in the future, leaving the possibility of a return to the Emirates in a different role open one day.