Forgotten Premier League winner in tears during emotional Real Madrid tribute
12/23/2024 08:36 AM
Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn’t hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement.
The veteran 39-year-old full-back played his final match for Sevilla on Sunday against Real Madrid, and was applauded by supporters of both clubs as he was presented with a gift by his club’s LaLiga rivals.
Fans inside the Santiago Bernabeu gave Navas a standing ovation ahead of kick-off as he received a guard of honour from his Sevilla teammates and Real Madrid‘s stars.
Los Blancos captain Luka Modric also presented the 39-year-old with a signed shirt from the entire team as a retirement present.
The emotional scenes saw Navas reduced to tears as he waved to the crowd.
Navas came off the bench for the final 25 minutes as his side were beaten 4-2 in the Spanish capital.
The scenes in Madrid came a week after similarly emotional events in Sevilla, as Navas played in front of home fans at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium for the final time.
The Spaniard was overwhelmed with emotion and choked back the tears ahead of that match as he was given a guard of honour upon entering the pitch.
He posed for a picture with teammates before kick-off as supporters serenaded their heroic long-term skipper, displaying a large tifo in the stands, before posing with the titles he’d won alongside his family after the game finished.
Navas played 71 minutes before being substituted, with Sevilla managing to give him a winning end to his home career with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo.
He is set to retire once his Sevilla contract expires at the end of the month.
Navas had penned a short-term extension back in May but is now hanging up his boots due to a chronic hip injury.
The ex-Man City star – who lifted the Premier League title in 2014 – told The Athletic: “I've been trying to enjoy the time left with the fans, which is the nicest thing.
“The pain comes when I train hard or play an intense game. That's when it's tough to even play with my kids [in the following days]. So I try to rest.”
As for ending his career against Real Madrid, he added: “In the end, this is my Sevilla, this is what I love. I've been helping as much as I can.”
Apart from his four-year stint at City, he played the rest of his entire career for Sevilla – making 704 appearances across his two spells.
During his time in England, Navas won a Premier League title and two Carabao Cups to add to the eight trophies he has won with Sevilla.
Those include both the UEFA Cup and Europa League on two occasions.
For Spain, meanwhile, Navas scored five goals in 56 caps and was a part of their Euros-winning squad in the summer.
The winger-turned-defender also lifted the World Cup and 2012 Euros with Spain.
