JESÚS NAVAS REACHES 80 ASSISTS IN LALIGA SANTANDER

Jesús Navas made a winning return with Sevilla FC on Friday night. It was a win in which the Sevilla player was vital due to his cross for the first goal which allowed Diego Carlos to head in the equaliser. With this assist, the fullback reached three for the season and 80 overall in his long La Liga Santander career - impressive numbers that can be added to his extensive list of records. With his latest assist, he is among the seven players to have reached at least 80 in the First Division in the 21st century. Lionel Messi leads the way (192), followed by Daniel Alves (103). Third is Benzema with (101), followed by Joaquín Sánchez (95), Xavi Hernández (94) and Cristiano Ronaldo (87).

Navas became part of this group and the third Spaniard to do so after Joaquín and Xavi. Breaking it down into seasons, this is assist number 21 in his second spell in Nervión after three so far this season, seven last season, seven in 2019/20 and five in 2018/19. In 2017/18, the season after his return from Manchester, he didn't get an assist in the league. The other 59 were from before his move to the Premier League between 2003 and 2013. His record was 12 assists in 2011/12, followed by the nine he got in both 2008/09 and 2009/10. 

Real Madrid, Espanyol and Levante UD are the teams he has assisted most against with six against each club. It was the second time he has assisted against Granada after he set up De Jong for the first goal in the 2-0 victory in the 2019/20 season - also at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Jesús Navas also reached 433 games in the first division with Sevilla FC in which he has scored 25 goals.