Jesús Navas and the Chairman of Sevilla FC
First team

JESÚS NAVAS, 400 MATCHES, A LIVING LEGEND

21/09/2017
In the current season - his 11th with Sevilla FC - the icon looks set to pulverise the 415 matches of Pablo Blanco and become the Sevillista with the most official appearances. Overtaking Busto (399), only Campanal II (403), Jiménez (413), Arza (414) and Blanco are ahead of him. The match started with a surprise for the legend

Jesús Navas, at 31 years of age, in front of his own, reached the figure of 400 official matches for Sevilla FC in his 11th season as a Nervionense. In the build-up to kick-off, there was a surprise for the legend, who was given - by club Chairman José Castro - a shirt to commemorate the landmark. More will come. Years ago, he slowed his unprecedented progression with the club at the age of 27, when a permanent fixture in the Sevilla side - playing under eight coaches in ten years; four years later, after his move to Manchester City, he has returned to gain living legend status. Back then, Navas left with the 6th most appearances (393 matches). Within no time and after amounting seven of the eight official matches the current squad has played, he has put himself 5th - for now - with 400 matches played. Should all go to plan this season, he should overtake the 403 of Campanal II, the 413 of Jiménez, the 414 of Arza and the 415 of Pablo Blanco (who sits top of the table) in 2017.

Barring injuries, the icon could put himself at the top of the appearance table before Christmas 

Before 2017 is up, he can etch himself permanently in Sevilla FC's history, though by the number of matches he's accumulated he almost certainly already has. He debuted in Caparrós on the 23rd of November 2003 - 14 years ago - against RCD Espanyol in the Montjuic stadium; and on the 14th of November 2009, he made his international debut in the Calderón in a friendly against Argentina (2-1). In any event, it seems probably that before Christmas, the Sevilla legend will be able to overtake another in Pablo Blanco and make himself a record-breaking machine for Sevilla.

He is the Sevilla player with the most titles (6) and international caps (34); and has always played in the highest division

Making himself a permanent fixture after his debut, Navas was un-droppable under Juande, Jiménez, Álvarez, Manzano, Marcelino, Míchel and Emery. His partnership - now iconic - with Daniel Alves, became one of the most historic right-wing duos in the history of the side. Their tireless changes of pace and their torrents of assists have only contributed to Navas' endlessly growing stats. As of now, alongside Palop, Escudé, Adriano, Renato, Fabiano and Kanouté, he already boasts the most titles (6), the most international appearances whilst at the club (34) and the most international medals (2). He has amassed two UEFA Cups, two Copas del Rey, one European Supercup, one Spanish Supercup and has helped the side earn eight European qualifications. With Spain, he won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2012.    

With the whole season ahead of him, Jesús Navas can achieve stratospheric and unmatchable heights should he avoid injuries and play in all three competitions. For the moment, with 400 official matches, he is already a living legend and has put himself amongst the five players to have reach the 400 game landmark wearing a Sevilla shirt. He has not played once in the Second Division, either. Though we can be sure he would have done so with the humility and commitment we are accustomed to, it has always been clear that Jesús Navas belongs in football's elite.