Jesus Navas set to leave Sevilla after spending two decade in different spells

Jesus Navas is one of the finest fullbacks of this generation. The Spanish World Cup winner has been an amazing player in his prolonged career. The former Manchester City defender started his career with Sevilla back in 2000 as a youth and then he played for the senior first team in the year 2003 playing for almost a decade for the Spanish club appearing 285 times for the defending Europa League champions. 

The side-back then left Spain and joined Manchester City in 2013 where he spent 6 seasons playing 183 games for the club across all competitions. He got the first call from the national side in the 2008 edition and in the following year won the FIFA World Cup as well as the Euro Cup twice with the national team, representing in 51 games. However, he was back to his boyhood club in 2017 and till the current season, he has played 295 games. 

He informed his teammates about the decision to leave the club after the end of the season as a free agent. In a video message to fans on the club’s social media accounts, he said of spending his best times at the Spanish club and the winger-turned-defender scored 39 goals and provided 119 assists in 688 appearances across all competitions for the Andalucian club.

Sevilla set to give farewell to Navas

He won the Europa League four times with Sevilla in total and less than late Jose Antonio Reyes, Navas’ former teammate, is the only player in history to have won the competition more times. The game against Cadiz on Wednesday was his final appearance for the club, as they lost 1-0 to Cadiz. The Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan crowd gave a standing ovation as he made his way in the 84th minute. Navas will be given an official farewell in their last game of the season against Barcelona on May 25. 

The club released a statement saying, "Sevilla FC wishes Jesús Navas the best of luck in his new professional challenge, and thanks him for the dedication." They also said that the fullback can return to the side in future as a role of a head coach whenever he starts a new role.