First team

NAVAS: "I'VE COME BACK TO GIVE IT MY EVERYTHING"

07/09/2017

Jesús Navas told A Balón Parado "being able to appreciate the stadium and fans again is a luxury"

SFC TV program A Balón Parado returned after the summer break, along with one of Sevilla's First Team favourites: Jesús Navas. The forward recalled his early years with Sevilla FC, reliving his first start in Eindhoven and his goal in the final of the Copa del Rey against Atlético Madrid. He also looked back to the more recent past, and his return to Nervión: "I was left uncertain about coming. My first choice was always Sevilla, but I had to wait. I knew it would happen because both parties wanted it to, but it's true it was dragged out. The fans supported me a lot and asked for me to return many times. Now to be here once again, in a club which has given me everything, being able to enjoy the stadium and its fans is a total luxury."

"I'm very determined"

Navas didn't just know he would return but knew his squad number on return: "The fans took it as given I was returning and also asked me to wear number 16. I was always sure. To wear it and give everything for him. That he can't be here is a tragedy beacuse he's someone who has made a huge impact here, he opened the door to titles and he means a lot to me personally. I was always with him in training, on the bus. He was very mature and emboddied a lot of personal values and values of Sevillismo."

With number 16 on his back, Jesús Navas hopes to help his team a lot: "I'm very demanding, I'm very determined and I've come back to give it my everything."

In that regard, the Sevilla servant has high expectations for his new team-mates: "Since I've been here the group has been gradually changing, but it has always grown, looked forwards and won titles. Now it's very clear, I think there is a great team here to do things."

There was also time to evaluate his stay in Manchester, which he saw as a very positive experience: "the rhythm in the Premier League is very high and I think that's been good for me in many ways. I feel I've grown and it's helped me a lot."

He recalled how Guardiola asked him to play as a full-back: "He asked me to and I was quick to tell him he could count on me. I wanted to play and after all, Dani Alves had already moved from my position to provide cover."

Navas was in for a lot of surprises over the course of the show. The first on his plate was Pablo Blanco who discovered him back when he "dribbled for days". Navas now hopes to surpass the legendary Sevilla defender who boasts the most official Sevilla fixtures: "If it's Navas I don't mind if he overtakes me, but he should know I'll up there on the podium with him," said the ex-Sevilla centre-back with a smile.

Jesús Navas' friends also surprised the footballer in the last segment of the program, recalling a number of anecdotes from his childhood and youth. Relatives, including his son, as well as friends sent in messages to surprise the Sevilla icon.