Jesus Navas has confirmed that Sunday's Euro 2019 final against England in Berlin will be his last game for Spain regardless of the result.
Navas, 38, is the only surviving member of the Spain squad that last won the European Championship in 2012. He was also part of the team that won the World Cup in 2010.
It is common practice for the team captain to speak at the pre-match press conference before the final, with England nominating Harry Kane, but Spain striker Alvaro Morata handed the responsibility to Navas due to it being his last game for his country.
“Morata told me it was time to talk because it would be my last game,” Navas said in his usual discreet tone on Saturday.
“Being here after so many years shows that I have done things well and it would be fantastic for the whole group.” [to end with the trophy] — we deserve it.
“Even at 38 years old, I am still excited about everything, about helping the national team, my country… but the decision has been made.”
Navas made his debut for Spain in 2009 and has earned 56 caps in the years since, including three at this summer's finals in Germany.
He started the group's final match against Albania, came off the bench in the round of 16 against Georgia and started the semi-final win over France at right-back due to Dani Carvajal's suspension.
Most of his appearances for Spain were as a winger, but in the latter years of his career he switched to full-back.
Navas' club career will continue for now at LaLiga side Sevilla, although he remains convinced he will hang up his boots in January.
He initially announced he would leave his boyhood club at the end of last season, before reversing that decision and agreeing to stay until the end of the year before taking up a behind-the-scenes role at the club.
“No,” he added when asked if he could decide whether to prolong his playing career. “I made the decision to help Sevilla until January and that is the decision, it is decided.”
