Santi Cazorla has officially hung up his boots, bringing the curtain down on a professional football career that spanned more than two decades and touched some of the biggest clubs in European football.
The Spanish midfielder, born December 13, 1984, retires at 41 years old.
A career defined by artistry and resilience
After suffering a horrific ankle injury at Arsenal that led to multiple surgeries and a reported risk of amputation, Cazorla fought his way back to professional football. He returned to Villarreal, where he’d first made his name, and played well enough to earn a recall to the Spanish national team.
Then came a stint at Qatari club Al Sadd. In August 2023, Cazorla returned to Real Oviedo, the club from his home region of Asturias, signing a one-year contract that was eventually renewed through 2026. Cazorla played a pivotal role in helping the club secure promotion to La Liga in June 2025.
