Jesús Navas has officially announced that the upcoming European Championship final against England will mark his final appearance for the Spanish national team, regardless of the outcome. At 38 years old, Navas is the sole remaining player from the Spain squad that clinched the Euros title in 2012 and was also part of the victorious 2010 World Cup team.
Traditionally, the team captain addresses the media in the pre-game press conference before the final match. However, in a touching gesture, Spain forward Álvaro Morata insisted that Navas take the spotlight as it will be his farewell game for the national team.
Reflecting on his long-spanning career, Navas expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country for over a decade. He emphasized the collective effort of the team and expressed a desire to culminate his international journey with a championship victory, stating, 'To still be here after so many years shows that I have done things well and it would be amazing for the whole group -- we deserve it.'
Despite his age, Navas remains enthusiastic about contributing to the national team and his country. However, he affirmed that the decision to retire has been finalized. With 56 caps to his name, Navas has played a crucial role in Spain's recent Euro campaign, showcasing his versatility by featuring in various positions, including right-back.
While his international career is drawing to a close, Navas will continue to ply his trade at LaLiga club Sevilla. Although he initially planned to retire at the end of the previous season, he extended his stay until January to support his boyhood club before transitioning into a backroom role.
Navas reiterated that his decision to retire in January is firm and ruled out any possibility of extending his playing career. He remains committed to his current path of aiding Sevilla and preparing for the next chapter in his football journey.
