Thanks for everything, Jesús Navas!

Jesús Navas announced on Thursday that his time with the Spanish national football team has come to an end. Navas thus bids farewell to a glittering international career, being the Spanish footballer with the most trophy-laden record with the national team. The defender from Los Palacios, who is 38 years old (he turns 39 on 21 November), won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2012 European Championships, the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the last European Championships in Germany.

The match in Berlin, in which Spain won their fourth continental trophy and Navas won his fourth senior international title, was the last time the Andalusian pulled on the national team’s colours. A final ecstasy and a well-deserved finishing touch to such an impressive career.

He made his debut on 14 November 2009 against Argentina at the Vicente Calderón (2-1 in favour of Spain). He has 56 appearances to his name, with five goals scored in those games, 40 of which were victories: those are his official figures. But, beyond the numbers, Navas has earned the respect and affection of all the teammates and coaches with whom he has shared the dressing room during these almost 15 years as an international.

He leaves a history many unique moments, full of epic moments: like the goal that won the World Cup in South Africa, or that match against Albania in the last European Championships in which he received a very heavy blow to the foot in the early stages of the game... which he ended up completing despite his pain in what was an incomparable display of commitment. Luis de la Fuente gave him the responsibility of being one of the captains in this last stage. Few players have understood so well the concept that the national team is, above all, a team.

Thank you for everything Jesús.