Former Arsenal and Spain star Santi Cazorla retires from football

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cazorla-santi/rVt0F12N/"]Cazorla[/a] racked up 776 appearances for six clubs across a 23-year playing career, including three spells at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/villarreal/lUatW5jE/"]Villarreal[/a] and six seasons at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] - with two FA Cup triumphs during his time at the Emirates Stadium.[/p][p]He was also part of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a]'s title-winning squads at UEFA Euro 2008 and 2012, with the veteran opting to hang up his boots after returning to boyhood side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-oviedo/SzYzw34K/"]Real Oviedo[/a] in 2023.[/p][p]Cazorla played a vital role in helping the club secure LaLiga promotion at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, returning to the top tier of Spanish football for the first time since 2001.[/p][embed guid="0e3b2919-0fdd-4e01-85f0-5036cd586641" url="https://x.com/19SCazorla/status/2072622338550428055" social-type="twitter" /][p]One final season at the top level was the perfect send-off for Cazorla, and he opted against a contract extension following their relegation, with a likely coaching role now on the horizon in the near future.[/p][p]"[b]We think life is full of twists and turns, until we understand some stories don't end, they just take you back to the beginning, like a No. 8[/b]," Cazorla posted on social media.[/p][p]"[b]Today marks the end of his playing career with Real Oviedo, but not his connection to the club. After a lifetime dedicated to football, the time has come to pause, enjoy a well-deserved rest, and reflect on the next step[/b]. [/p][p]Oviedo added: "[b]When that moment arrives, Santi knows the doors of Real Oviedo will always be open to welcome him back. Because this is always his home, and the club hopes to continue sharing the future with Santi, in whatever role he chooses, and that brings him happiness."[/b][/p]