He is one of the most popular Spanish footballers of all time: Jesus Navas. On Saturday, the right winger’s great career came to an emotional end.
A brief look at Jesus Navas’ career is enough to show what kind of guy the 39-year-old is: since 2010, with a four-year stint at Manchester City, the right winger has only played for Sevilla. He has appeared in La Liga a total of 516 times, scoring 26 goals. Loyalty to the club, something that is becoming increasingly rare these days.
The right-back, who once started as a right winger, won the Spanish Cup twice with Sevilla, the UEFA Cup twice, and then also twice the same competition that is now known as the Europa League. Jesus Navas is one of the Spanish football heroes who became world champions in 2010. He also won two European Championship titles (2012 and 2024) with the Iberians, as well as the Nations League 2023. This summer, at the age of almost 40, he played for his country again in the European Championship in Germany.
Jesus Navas has given everything for football – and given everything to football. He gave his all until the very last minute, and after his last home game with Sevilla last week, he played his last professional game on Saturday. And the setting was worthy of the Spanish football legend, as he played for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sevilla lost 2-4, but the result was of little importance to Jesus Navas, who is retiring from the sport this winter due to health issues (hip problems). When he came on in the 65th minute, the whole stadium rose and applauded. Even the majority of Real Madrid fans showed respect for the Spaniard’s career (“I can’t play a full game without pain anymore – if it wasn’t for this hip, I would have played a few more years”).
Jesus Navas: “It was crazy”
“Today was a spectacle, I have never seen anything like it in my life on an opponent’s field. It was crazy. In the last few minutes I couldn’t see anything, I looked at the ground and I remembered all the moments I’ve experienced, the joy I’ve brought to my Sevilla and my national team. I think it’s something unique to make so many people happy,” said Jesus Navas after the game.
Of course it was emotional on the field. And afterwards too. During the interview, Jesus Navas had tears in his eyes, but of course he answered the journalists’ questions and tried to somehow convey his inner feelings. “In the end, there are many moments and a lot of joy. What remains for me is the fact that people tell me that despite all I have achieved, I have always remained the same,” said the 56-time Spanish international.