On the eve of his final game for Spain, Jesus Navas says he has achieved 'perfect perfection' in the job that was his childhood dream.
The 38-year-old defender is likely to bid farewell to Dani Carvajal, who has returned from suspension, as La Roja face England at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday night – Navas' last game before retiring from international football.
24 hours. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/dWQqOX43uP
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 13, 2024
Over the past 21 years, the Sevilla captain has played more than 500 times for the club he joined as a youngster, with a four-year spell at Man City in between.
He also enjoyed a 15-year international career, helping Spain win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, as well as the Nations League last year.
“For me, it was the highest you can reach,” he told uefa.com. “It was a dream I had when I was a little boy – to enjoy playing for Spain, to give my all to my national team.
“I hope we can give the country joy on Sunday night. England is a great team with world class players. It's going to be really tough, but we're very happy and we're really looking forward to playing because we had a really good tournament.”
2006 UEFA Cup Final
Sevilla vs Middlesbrough
Jesus Navas vs Southgate pic.twitter.com/a8QVZgE52F
– My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) July 13, 2024
In 2006, Navas was in the Sevilla team that beat Middlesbrough, alongside current England coach Gareth Southgate and coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, in the UEFA Cup final.
“That was a unique experience against Middlesbrough,” he said. “The victory over Sevilla that has been waiting for a long time. It would be amazing to repeat that feeling (representing England).”
Navas has made more than 120 appearances during his time in Manchester, lifting the Premier League and two League Cups, meaning he knows he can expect a passionate performance in England on Sunday.
“I lived in a league where it was about competition, speed of play,” he said. “The Premier League was the place I wanted to experience it, and, to be honest, I really enjoyed it.
“England football is very attractive – every game has a great atmosphere.”
Navas told a press conference at the Olympiastadion on the eve of the match that he was worried about the prospect of the final.
“The relationship between the whole team is good,” he said. “I hope that we will be able to make it happen in the squad and in the whole country. I really hope we can win that cup.
“I get emotional about everything I do. To be here, at the age of 38, to continue playing for my national team is amazing. It would be a great feeling to win it.”
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