Former Spain and Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla retires at 41

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:43 AM CDT Thursday, Jul. 2, 2026 Last Modified: 7:26 AM CDT Thursday, Jul. 2, 2026

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MADRID (AP) — Former Spain international Santi Cazorla is retiring from soccer at age 41.

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MADRID (AP) — Former Spain international Santi Cazorla is retiring from soccer at age 41.

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MADRID (AP) — Former Spain international Santi Cazorla is retiring from soccer at age 41.

Cazorla made the announcement with a post on Instagram, ending a successful career of more than two decades.

“There are stories that don’t end…they live on forever,” the post said. “Thank you for everything.”

FILE - In this Friday Nov. 15, 2019 file photo, Spain's Santi Cazorla celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Euro 2020 Group F qualifying soccer match between Spain and Malta at the Ramon de Carranza stadium in Cadiz, Spain. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti, File)

Cazorla had been playing with Spanish boyhood club Oviedo since 2023, helping it gain promotion to the first division a season ago. The club was relegated again this past campaign.

He thrived with Villarreal and Arsenal, where he was a major contributor under coach Arsene Wenger from 2012-18. With Spain, the playmaker won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Cazorla dealt with serious injuries throughout his career, including one that kept him from playing when Spain won the World Cup in 2010.