Santi Cazorla has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41.
The former Arsenal midfielder confirmed the decision via social media on Thursday, bringing down the curtain on a 25-year career that began and ended at his boyhood club, Real Oviedo.
He leaves the game having won two European Championship titles with Spain, scored 15 goals in 81 international appearances, and made 180 appearances for Arsenal across six years.
His final appearance for the Gunners came in October 2016, before a serious ankle injury cut his time short in north London.
He recovered extraordinarily to play on at Villarreal, Al-Sadd and finally back at Oviedo, where he helped the club earn promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years in 2025 before their relegation last season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has a close relationship with Cazorla, was quick to pay tribute.
Mikel Arteta sends classy message to Santi Cazorla following retirement
In a video provided by Real Oviedo, Arteta delivered an emotional farewell.
“Mate, it gives me goosebumps. It’s been an honour, a gift to get to know you as a person, to have been your teammate.
“To be there with you in everything that has happened in your career and what you have become and particularly the legacy that you are going to leave behind in football.
Arsenal fans, what was your instant reaction when you heard Granit Xhaka wants to join Chelsea?
“I would love to be there with you today next to you. Thank you for what you have given to football, for always putting on a smile both on your face and those of the people there with you.
“I’m sure you are going to give much more to football in any role and any decision that you take. I love you lots.
“Here, all of the teammates, all of the people at the club, the staff and we fans pass you all the love and I hope that you can feel it from here in London.
“I love you lots, mate. Sending a big hug.”
Could Santi Cazorla join Arsenal coaching staff after announcing his retirement?
Arteta has previously spoken openly about wanting Cazorla involved at Arsenal in some capacity.
And Cazorla himself has not been shy about the idea either.
Now that his playing days are over, we might just see those conversations start to materialise.
Cazorla is adored by Arsenal fans and is undoubtedly one of the club’s best players of the Emirates era.
What he lacked in pace and physicality he made up for and then some with his unplayable technical quality, oozing class in tight spaces.
And who could forget the quality he possessed on both feet — those corners!
Whether as a coach or in a broader football operations role, Cazorla would be welcomed back to Arsenal in a heartbeat.
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