Jesus Navas retired on Sunday 22 December at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu. Although he did not start, the 22 players of both teams gave him a guard of honour in front of a standing ovation in the Spanish capital.
Luka Modric presented him with a Madrid shirt signed by all the players and in the centre of the Sevilla shirt, this afternoon red, as in previous matches, the '16 leyenda' emblem was displayed. The Bernabeu chanted his name as if he were a Madrid player.
In the 64th minute, Navas entered the pitch as the Bernabéu chanted his name. He replaced Idumbo, received the captain's armband and the stadium rose to its feet.
"I've never seen anything like this in my life"
Navas was very emotional post-match and was especially grateful to the Bernabéu crowd for the affection shown towards him. "I've never seen anything like this in my life, in a rival stadium, it was like coming full circle. The last few minutes I was looking at the ground and remembering all the moments I've lived and the joy I've had".
And he added:"You have to give everything for the club and for Antonio, I have worn his number, and it was for him".
Navas' career
Jesus Navas hangs up his boots after being the player with the most titles in the history of the national team. With Spain, he has won a World Cup (South Africa 2010), two European Championships (Poland-Ukraine 2012 and Germany 2024) and a UEFA Nations League (Netherlands).
With Sevilla, he won the Europa League four times (2006, 2007 - the first two as UEFA Cup -, 2020 and 2023), one European Super Cup (2006), two Copa del Rey (2007 and 2010) and one Spanish Super Cup (2010). In addition to that, in his time in England, with Manchester City he won one Premier League title (2014) and two EFL Cups (2014 and 2016).
Navas is a Sevillian legend, as he is the player in the club's history who has worn the shirt on the most occasions: 703 times, scoring 39 goals and providing 119 assists.