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Jesus Navas broke down in tears as he played his final home match for boyhood club Sevilla. The 39-year-old is set to hang up his boots once and for all with at the end of December following a most decorated career. While his final outing will be at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid next week, Navas bid farewell to Sevilla's Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium during the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Making his way onto the pitch, the Spaniard choked back the tears as he had an emotional embrace on the touchline, before being given a guard of honour as he made his way onto the pitch. With fans serenading him and one stand displaying a large tifo in tribute to him, Navas looked overwhelmed with emotion as he posed for a picture with his teammates before kick-off. He then played 71 minutes of the match before being subbed off in the second half. Despite his age, Navas took the decision to hang up his boots due to a chronic hip injury that led him to declare: "I can't take it any more. " Ahead of the game, the Sevilla star posted on social media: "Hard to sleep, wish time would stop. "So many memories and emotions lived together, and amazed by so many displays of affection. "Happy for so much, how much I love you my Sevilla. ” A true club legend, Navas has made 702 appearances for his boyhood club Sevilla, helping them to four Europa League crowns, a UEFA Super Cup and two Copa Del Reys. The winger, who now plays as a right-back, also spent four years with Manchester City where he made 183 appearances and helped them to the Premier League title. For Spain he won 56 caps and helped his country to World Cup glory in 2010, while helping them to win the European Championships in 2012 and 2024. Explaining his decision to retire, Navas explained: "Hopefully I can make it until December, because every game starts to be more difficult. “I’ve been in this situation for four years. It is a wear and tear, it is getting more and more, more and more continuous, more intense. “It’s complicated – when you finish a game, I haven’t been able to talk for two or three days, which becomes complicated. “For me, these six months were a very big challenge. I wanted to be with the team. “I hope I can make it until December because every game starts to be difficult. “I can’t take it anymore, it’s a health issue. There are days when I can’t be with my children. I have it decided. ” Navas has been handed a 'lifetime contract' with the club that will see him eventually become part of the club's backroom team following his retirement. With one final match against Real Madrid to look forward to, Navas will be hoping to bow out on a monumental high. © 2024 talk SPORT Limited

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