Jesús Navas González ( born 21 November 1985) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC in La Liga.
A right winger who can play on the left flank on occasion, his main assets are his quick dribbling and an ability to run at opposing defenders.
Born in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Province of Seville, Navas joined Sevilla FC's youth system at age 15. In 2003–04, he made his first team (and La Liga) debut when he played 12 minutes in a 0–1 loss at RCD Espanyol on 23 November 2003, and added four more matches before the league was over, none complete. In the 2004–05 season, Navas was permanently promoted to the first team, scoring two times from 22 appearances and, on 4 May 2005, his link to the club was extended until 2010, as he also made his Spanish U21 debuts.
In 2005–06, Navas once again impressed, being a crucial element as the Andalusians won their first UEFA Cup; he appeared in all 12 matches, including the final against Middlesbrough. In August 2006, a deal was arranged for Navas' transfer to Chelsea, but the player declined the move, citing possible homesickness. In the league, Navas was consistently listed in the best players' ranks, entering the 'Top 50' of Don Balón magazine each year since 2005.
A right winger who can play on the left flank on occasion, his main assets are his quick dribbling and an ability to run at opposing defenders.
Born in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Province of Seville, Navas joined Sevilla FC's youth system at age 15. In 2003–04, he made his first team (and La Liga) debut when he played 12 minutes in a 0–1 loss at RCD Espanyol on 23 November 2003, and added four more matches before the league was over, none complete. In the 2004–05 season, Navas was permanently promoted to the first team, scoring two times from 22 appearances and, on 4 May 2005, his link to the club was extended until 2010, as he also made his Spanish U21 debuts.
In 2005–06, Navas once again impressed, being a crucial element as the Andalusians won their first UEFA Cup; he appeared in all 12 matches, including the final against Middlesbrough. In August 2006, a deal was arranged for Navas' transfer to Chelsea, but the player declined the move, citing possible homesickness. In the league, Navas was consistently listed in the best players' ranks, entering the 'Top 50' of Don Balón magazine each year since 2005.
For the next three seasons, Navas continued to be a regular for Sevilla, always being the club's top assister, while adding nine league goals. He also helped it to the 2007–08 domestic cup, and to the third place in the following season's league.
In 2009–10, Navas was everpresent, appearing in more than 50 official matches, and leading the league in decisive passes (including two in the last round against UD Almería, as Sevilla edged RCD Mallorca for the final fourth place, with a 3–2 away triumph). On May 19, 2010, he closed the scoresheet at 2–0 in the Spanish Cup final, against Atlético Madrid.
Navas' 2010–11 season was greatly undermined by injury, as he appeared in less than half of the matches for Sevilla. On 13 March 2011, he scored through a rare header in a 1–1 home draw against eventual champions FC Barcelona, for his only goal of the campaign.
