Softfootball can confirm that Santi Cazorla has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary career that spanned more than two decades.
Widely regarded as one of Spain’s most technically gifted midfielders, Cazorla earned admiration for his exceptional two-footed ability, vision, creativity, and composure. He enjoyed successful spells with Villarreal CF, Málaga CF, Arsenal FC, Al Sadd SC and finally Real Oviedo, his boyhood club.
At Arsenal, Cazorla became a fan favourite after helping end the club’s nine-year trophy drought, playing a pivotal role in the 2014 FA Cup triumph. His career was later threatened by a series of severe injuries that required multiple surgeries, but he produced one of football’s greatest comeback stories by returning to top-level competition.
His final chapter came at Real Oviedo, where he accepted a minimal contract to help the club he had supported since childhood. Cazorla capped that journey by helping Oviedo secure promotion back to La Liga, providing a fitting end to an illustrious career.
Internationally, the midfielder made 81 appearances for the Spain national football team, winning UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2012 while earning recognition as one of his generation’s finest playmakers.
Pape Gueye has also announced a break from international football, stating he will not return to the Senegal national football team while the current coaching staff led by Pape Thiaw remains in charge.