When he was 20 years old Jesus Navas won his first Europa League (then Uefa Cup) trophy, at 21 he won his second and a few months after that he carried the coffin of his younger teammate and very close friend Antonio Puerta. 
After his death Sevilla wanted to retire Antonio Puertas number 16 but the federation wouldn't let them.
Instead the shirt was reserved for youth players. And when Navas returned to the club in 2017 it was agreed that he would take over the shirt number once worn by his friend
Instead the shirt was reserved for youth players. And when Navas returned to the club in 2017 it was agreed that he would take over the shirt number once worn by his friend
When Jesus Navas made his debut for the Sevilla first team as a 17-year-old José Antonio Reyes, another youth player who he always looked up to and basically grew up with, was there to take care of him.
Ahead of the 2018-19 season Navas was made captain of his childhood club, dream come true.
But for the 2019-20 season the armband he wore was different. That summer Reyes had passed away in a car accident.
In memory Navas wore an armband with his two late friends names on it
But for the 2019-20 season the armband he wore was different. That summer Reyes had passed away in a car accident.
In memory Navas wore an armband with his two late friends names on it
It was together with Antonio Puerta that Sevilla's dominance in the Europa League started.
While José Antonio Reyes became the REY of the tournament, no one has won it more than him (5 times, 3 with Sevilla). He was also the last Sevilla captain to lift the trophy to the sky
While José Antonio Reyes became the REY of the tournament, no one has won it more than him (5 times, 3 with Sevilla). He was also the last Sevilla captain to lift the trophy to the sky
So how could Jesus Navas not cry when he went to lift the trophy that is so associated with his friends that are no longer here.
While wearing the number Puerta used to wear and the captain armband that used to sit around Reyes arm?
While wearing the number Puerta used to wear and the captain armband that used to sit around Reyes arm?
What went on in Jesus Navas head in that moment only he knows. But one thing that is very clear is that lifting that trophy wasn't just about winning a football tournament for him. It was a lot more than that.
This title is for all of the sevillistas, but especially for Puerta, Campanal, Reyes and my godfather. This success continues to make us even stronger, vamos mi Sevilla
Navas godfather died yesterday, in the morning of the same day as the final. He didn’t tell anyone. Until after the match when he in tears dedicated the win to Puerta, Reyes, Campanal and his godfather
The fourth person Navas dedicted the trophy to was Marcelo Campanal, a Sevilla legend who died this May at the age of 89.
Navas spoke to him during quarantine:
sevillafc.es/en/actual/news…
Navas spoke to him during quarantine:
sevillafc.es/en/actual/news…
