Emotional Farewell as Jesús Navas Retires from Football
Jesús Navas, a Spanish football icon and Sevilla's most decorated player, bid a tearful farewell to his illustrious career on Monday. A packed Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium, with 45,000 fans in attendance, celebrated the 39-year-old winger in a heartfelt ceremony filled with chants, tributes, and songs.
Navas, who officially retires on December 31 due to a chronic and painful hip injury, addressed the crowd with deep emotion. "I live to give joy to my Sevilla and Spanish fans. If it hadn't been for my hip, I would have continued, that's for sure. Saying this is the end has been very difficult," he confessed, pausing several times to fight back tears.
Standing beneath a massive placard reading "Navas Legend," he reflected on the hip issues that had worsened in recent weeks, forcing him to make the difficult decision to step away from the game.
A product of Sevilla's youth academy, Navas made 705 appearances for the club over 18 seasons, becoming their all-time appearance leader. His career also included a four-year stint at Manchester City from 2013 to 2017, where he played 183 matches. During the ceremony, Navas was presented with a framed jersey displaying the number 705, marking his record-breaking appearances for Sevilla.
Accompanied by his wife, two sons, and parents, Navas received tributes from teammates and fans. Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri described him as "a role model in every respect," while former Sevilla defender Sergio Ramos hailed him as "the greatest legend the club has ever had."
Navas’ career is decorated with 15 major trophies, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, two European Championships (2012 and 2024), the 2023 UEFA Nations League with Spain, and eight titles with Sevilla.
His final LaLiga appearance came on December 22, when he substituted in Sevilla’s 4-2 defeat to Real Madrid. Despite the bittersweet ending, Navas’ legacy as a Sevilla and Spanish football legend remains unparalleled.
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