“There are days when I haven’t been able to walk” – Jesús Navas talks about the injury that ended his career before retiring

Sunday’s match between Real Madrid and Sevilla will be the last of Jesús Navas’ illustrious career. He has already said goodbye to Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán and, after the confrontation at the Santiago Bernabéu, he will draw the curtain on his time as a player.

It is peculiar for a player to retire in the middle of the season, but for Navas it is necessary. He has been battling a chronic hip injury for the past few years, and spoke about the topic during an interview with Marca.

“One is not prepared for this moment. It’s a hip problem that says ‘that’s it’, but football is something you’ve been doing all your life. It’s what you love, it’s a dream and I can say that I have fulfilled all my dreams, I have achieved all the joys, but waking up and not being able to touch the ball is going to be difficult.

“In the end I have been working on this issue for three or four years and it is complicated. I have handled it a little better, but this last year it has gotten worse and it is much harder. When I play a full game, the next day is difficult and there are days when I haven’t been able to walk. And then you make a decision. My teammates know my problem, they see me training. I try to control myself a little more, measure myself, but in a game you have to go with everything and that impact, that jump, is where it gets worse.”

Navas has also taken the opportunity to reflect on everything there is for the last aspect of his career.

“There are many emotions that are coming to me. Try to assimilate it, enjoy the moment with my fans, with everyone’s love and that is the most important thing. In the end, football is my life. I enjoy it to the fullest and it is what has made me come of age enjoying my Seville and my team, my country, giving everything for them and in the end that day reaches everyone. “It’s complicated.”