Jesus Navas has announced he will retire from international duty after Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 Final with England on Sunday.
The 38-year-old, the last remaining member of La Roja’s FIFA 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship-winning squads, will conclude a remarkable 15-year international career.
Jesus Navas has featured three times for Spain during this tournament, captaining the side in their final Group B match against Albania and filling in for the suspended Dani Carvajal at right-back in the semi-final victory over France.
The Sevilla Right-back, who plans to retire from professional football later this year, revealed he has been playing through pain in recent years. Ahead of Sunday’s final, Navas drew parallels between Spain’s current team and the one that secured three consecutive major international titles from 2008 to 2012.
However, he only lifted the lid on his international future following a conversation with skipper Alvaro Morata.
“[Morata] told me that it was time for me to speak since it is my last game with Spain!” he told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
“I have been having a problem with my hip for four or five years, but playing for my country is everything for me.
“I just want to leave everything on the pitch. You have to die for every moment here, for your team and your country. It is the biggest thing, and I am so proud of that.
“Afterwards, everything hurts, but it is about giving it all you have on the day, to be the same person with the same kind of humility.
“I am excited about everything that I have done in football and in the national team. Being here as a 38-year-old is unique and incredible.
“In those years of success, we were a team both on and off the pitch. That was noticeable when we played, and it is the same here.”
