Spain legend calls time on international career after 15 years and 3 trophies

Sevilla legend Jesus Navas has called time on a glorious Spain career nearly 15 years after his debut. Navas is expected to retire later this season from club football too.

The 38-year-old started against France in the Euro 2024 semi-final, and played his part in La Roja’s success. He had made his debut in 2009 against Scotland, and Euro 2024 would be added to his two previous honours, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Winning 56 caps and scoring 5 times, Navas’ career spanned two eras of Spanish football, and he played as both a flying winger and a right-back later in his career, brought back into the fold by Luis de la Fuente in 2023 after three years in the wilderness.

Navas released a statement thanking the staff, his teammates, coaches and fans at the national team, and wished the team well in their next tournaments, aiming for success. “I have said it on a multitude of occasions, and I will repeat it again: the greatest of all is defending my country,” began his statement. “The dream and the memories wil remain intact as will the pride of having made so many people happy.”