Santi Cazorla Retires from Football at Age 41
Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla announced his retirement from professional football at age 41 on July 2, 2026, via an emotional social media video. A two-time European champion with Spain, he played for Villarreal, Málaga, Arsenal, Al Sadd, and Real Oviedo, where he ended his career after helping the club achieve promotion to La Liga. Arsenal paid tribute, calling him "the little magician."
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Santi Cazorla Hangs Up His Boots
Santi Cazorla, the Asturian footballer and captain of Real Oviedo, officially retired from professional football in an emotional ceremony held at the Carlos Tartiere stadium on July 7, 2026. The event marked the end of a long and successful career on the playing fields. Cazorla, widely regarded as a legend of Real Oviedo, bid farewell to fans and the sport in a heartfelt event. The article, published by AS Football, includes multiple photographs by Hugo Alvarez capturing the ceremony. Cazorla's career included notable stints at clubs such as Villarreal, Arsenal, and the Spanish national team, though the article focuses on his final farewell at his boyhood club, Real Oviedo.
Fútbol en AS.comThe Eternal Santi Cazorla: A Legacy for History
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old Asturian midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football after 23 seasons. He debuted with Villarreal in 2003/04, later played for Recreativo de Huelva, Málaga, Arsenal, and returned to Villarreal. He won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 with Spain. After a stint with Al-Sadd in Qatar, he returned to Real Oviedo in 2023, helping them achieve promotion to La Liga after 24 years. His final season was marked by limited playing time and ended with Oviedo's relegation. Cazorla described his time at Arsenal as where he had the most fun and grew the most, despite injuries. His career spanned five titles in England and a total of 23 professional seasons.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaThe Eternal Santi Cazorla: End of a Storied Career
Spanish midfielder Santiago Cazorla González, aged 41, announced his retirement from professional football after a 23-season career at the elite level. The Asturian began his professional debut with Villarreal in 2003/04 under coach Benito Floro, later played for Recreativo de Huelva, returned to Villarreal, then moved to Málaga for €23 million, where he helped secure the club's first Champions League qualification. He won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 with Spain. Cazorla signed for Arsenal for €19 million, winning five titles despite injury struggles. He returned to Villarreal for two seasons, then played for Al-Sadd in Qatar for three seasons before joining Real Oviedo in 2023. With Oviedo, he helped secure promotion to La Liga after 24 years. In his final season, he had limited playing time under coaches Paunovic and Carrión.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaSanti Cazorla Retires After 23 Seasons: A Legacy for Football History
Santi Cazorla, the legendary Spanish midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football at age 41 after 23 seasons. The Asturian began his career at Villarreal in 2003, later playing for Recreativo de Huelva, Málaga, Arsenal, a return to Villarreal, Al-Sadd in Qatar, and finally Real Oviedo. Cazorla won two European Championships with Spain (2008, 2012) and five titles with Arsenal. His career was marked by technical brilliance, overcoming severe injuries, and a triumphant return to his boyhood club Real Oviedo, helping them achieve promotion to La Liga after 24 years. His final season saw limited playing time under coaches Paunovic and Carrión.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaArsenal and Spain icon Santi Cazorla announces retirement at 41
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old Arsenal and Spain legend, has announced his retirement from professional football after his final season with boyhood club Real Oviedo in La Liga. Cazorla's career included stints at Villarreal, Recreativo, Malaga, and Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups despite severe injury struggles, including a life-threatening infection that nearly cost him his leg. He later played for Al-Sadd in Qatar before returning to Oviedo in 2023, captaining the club back to La Liga after a 24-year absence. Internationally, he earned 81 caps for Spain, scoring 15 goals and winning two European Championships. Cazorla announced his retirement with an emotional social media video, reflecting on his journey from a local pitch to professional stardom and back home to Oviedo.
CaughtOffsideFormer Arsenal midfielder Cazorla retires at 41
Former Arsenal and Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from professional football at age 41. The 5'5" playmaker won two FA Cups with Arsenal (scoring a free-kick in the 2014 final against Hull City) and two European Championships with Spain. His career nearly ended in 2016 after contracting gangrene following an ankle operation, requiring 11 surgeries to save his leg. He remarkably recovered and continued playing, finishing his career at boyhood club Real Oviedo, where he played three seasons on minimum salary and donated image rights. Oviedo expressed desire to keep him in any role, noting he donated 10% of jersey sales to the youth academy.
BBC SportSanti Cazorla Announces Retirement After 22-Year Professional Career
Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football after a 22-year career. The Asturian began his journey at Real Oviedo's youth academy in 2003 before moving to Villarreal, where he debuted in La Liga in 2004-05. After a loan spell at Recreativo de Huelva in 2006, he became a key figure in their best-ever top-flight season. Cazorla was a vital part of Spain's golden era, winning the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012, scoring a decisive penalty in the 2008 quarterfinal shootout against Italy. He earned 15 goals and 11 assists for the national team, with his final international appearance at the 2014 World Cup. The article reviews his career through a photo story, highlighting his contributions to club and country.
Fútbol en AS.comSanti Cazorla, 41, announces retirement from football
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old Spanish playmaker, announced his retirement from professional football on July 2, 2026, ending a 25-year career. Cazorla began at Real Oviedo in 2001 and played for Villarreal, Malaga, and Arsenal, where he made 180 appearances despite a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for two years. He recovered to play for Villarreal, Al-Sadd in Qatar, and returned to Oviedo in 2023, helping the club earn promotion to La Liga in 2025 after 24 years. Cazorla won two European Championships with Spain, scoring 15 goals in 81 appearances. The Athletic's analysis notes his deep connection to Oviedo and speculation about his next steps, possibly in coaching.
Soccer - The AthleticSanti Cazorla, 41, Announces Retirement from Football After 25-Year Career
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old Spanish playmaker, has announced his retirement from professional football after a 25-year career. Cazorla began at Real Oviedo in 2001 and played for Villarreal, Malaga, and Arsenal, where he made 180 appearances despite a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly two years. He recovered to play for Villarreal and Al-Sadd before returning to Oviedo in 2023. He helped the club gain promotion to La Liga in 2025 after a 24-year absence, but they were relegated the following season. Cazorla also won two European Championships with Spain, scoring 15 goals in 81 appearances. The Athletic's analysis notes his deep connection to Oviedo and speculation about his next steps, possibly in coaching.
Soccer - The AthleticSanti Cazorla, 41, announces retirement from football
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old former Arsenal and Spain midfielder, has announced his retirement from professional football after a 25-year career. The playmaker made the announcement via social media on July 2, 2026. Cazorla's career began at Real Oviedo in 2001 and included stints at Villarreal, Malaga, and Arsenal, where he made 180 appearances despite a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly two years. He also won two European Championships with Spain, scoring 15 goals in 81 appearances. After recovering from his injury, he returned to Villarreal, played for Al-Sadd in Qatar, and finished his career at boyhood club Real Oviedo, helping them gain promotion to La Liga in 2025 before their relegation in 2026. Cazorla expressed satisfaction ending his career where it began, saying he 'never stopped trying.'
Soccer - The AthleticFormer Arsenal and Spain Midfielder Santi Cazorla Retires at 41
Santi Cazorla, the 41-year-old former Arsenal and Spanish national team midfielder, announced his retirement from professional football on his Instagram account. Over his career, Cazorla won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships with Spain, earning 81 caps and scoring 15 goals. He played for Arsenal from 2012 to 2018 and faced a severe health crisis when gangrene kept him sidelined for 635 days between 2016 and 2018. After recovering, he returned to form at Villarreal, then spent four years in Qatar with Al-Sadd before returning to his boyhood club, Oviedo, in 2023. He helped Oviedo gain promotion to La Liga in 2025 but could not prevent their relegation last season, finishing last. Cazorla was known for his passing quality, double touch, and ambidexterity.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuArsenal Pays Tribute to Santi Cazorla After His Retirement Announcement
On July 2nd, 41-year-old Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla announced his retirement from professional football. Arsenal Football Club officially responded by sending retirement wishes via social media, calling him 'the little magician.' Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012 and played 180 matches for the club over six years, scoring 29 goals and providing 44 assists across all competitions. He was named Arsenal's Player of the Season in his debut campaign after playing all 38 league matches. Highlights of his Arsenal career include a stunning free kick in the 2014 FA Cup final against Hull City that sparked a comeback victory, a decisive penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shootout against Wigan Athletic, a goal in the 2014 Community Shield against Manchester City, and being named Man of the Match in the 2015 FA Cup final win over Aston Villa. The article, sourced from Arsenal's official website and reported by Hupu Soccer, celebrates his technical brilliance and contributions to the club's trophy successes.
虎扑 - 足球Santi Cazorla Announces Retirement at Age 41
On July 2, 2026, Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla announced his retirement from professional football at age 41 via a social media video. The former Arsenal, Villarreal, and La Roja star ended a career spanning over 800 matches. Cazorla, a native of Llanera, won two European Championships (2012 and 2018) with Spain and claimed club honors including the Premier League, Liga, and FA Cup titles in 2014 and 2015. He also won the Spanish Player of the Year award in 2007. His final playing stints included time in Saudi Arabia and at Real Oviedo. The announcement was covered by Foot Mercato.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertSanti Cazorla Announces Retirement at Age 41
On July 2, 41-year-old Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla released a video announcing his retirement from football. In a poetic statement, Cazorla reflected on his journey from a child playing football on an ordinary pitch in Foncillo to a storied career, noting that some stories do not end but return to where they began, like an infinity symbol. He acknowledged both wonderful experiences and tough moments, emphasizing that he never stopped trying. The announcement comes from the player's X (formerly Twitter) account, as reported by Hupu Football News. Cazorla is celebrated as an Arsenal legend by fans, known for his technical skill and resilience through injuries. His career included spells at Villarreal, Arsenal, and the Spanish national team.
虎扑 - 足球Real Oviedo Announces Retirement of 41-Year-Old Midfielder Santi Cazorla
Real Oviedo officially announced the retirement of 41-year-old midfielder Santi Cazorla, ending his professional playing career after three seasons with the club. Cazorla, who began his career in Oviedo's youth system, went on to become a world football icon, playing for Villarreal, Málaga, Arsenal, and Al Sadd, and winning two European Championships with Spain. He returned to Real Oviedo in August 2023 on the minimum salary, ceding his image rights and requesting that 10% of his jersey sales fund the club's youth academy. Over two seasons, he was a key figure in Oviedo's promotion to La Liga, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The club and the Pachuca Group expressed gratitude, noting that Cazorla's bond with Oviedo will continue beyond his playing days.
虎扑 - 足球Santi Cazorla Announces Retirement from Football at Age 41
Spanish footballer Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. The Asturian midfielder, a two-time European champion with Spain, shared the news via an emotional video on social media. Cazorla concluded his career with three seasons at Real Oviedo, the club he supported as a child, where he achieved promotion to La Liga after a 24-year absence. His decision came after weeks of deliberation with his family. Cazorla leaves behind a legacy as a key figure in an irreplaceable generation of Spanish football and is considered a myth by Oviedo fans. The news was reported by Diario AS on July 2, 2026.
Fútbol en AS.com