Spanish football legend Jesus Navas bid a heartfelt farewell to his playing career on Monday in an emotional ceremony held at Sevilla’s iconic Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. Songs, chants, and heartfelt tributes filled the arena as thousands gathered to honor one of the sport's most decorated players.

The 39-year-old winger, a symbol of Sevilla FC and the Spanish national team, announced his retirement due to a chronic and painful hip injury that has plagued him in recent seasons. His contract officially ends on December 31.

“I live to give joy to my Sevilla and the Spanish fans, and if it hadn’t been for my hip, I would have continued, that’s for sure,” Navas tearfully told the crowd of around 45,000 fans. Pausing to fight back his emotions, he added, “It was very difficult for me to say that this is the end of the season.”

Standing beneath a massive banner reading “Navas Legend,” the Sevilla icon reflected on his struggles. “I have been suffering from hip difficulties for several years, but in the last few weeks, the condition has worsened,” he shared.

A Sevilla youth academy product, Navas spent 18 remarkable seasons with the club, making a record-breaking 705 appearances. Between 2013 and 2017, he also enjoyed a successful stint at Manchester City, where he played 183 matches.

During the ceremony, Navas was presented with a framed jersey bearing his name and the number 705. His wife, two sons, and parents joined him on stage as the crowd erupted into applause and chants of his name.

Navas' illustrious career boasts an impressive 15 trophies, including a record four with Spain—highlighted by the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships (2012, 2024)—as well as eight titles with Sevilla. His contributions also helped Spain secure the 2023 UEFA Nations League.

Tributes poured in during the event. Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri described Navas as “a role model in every respect,” while former Sevilla defender Sergio Ramos hailed him as “the greatest legend the club has ever had.”

On December 22, Navas made his final La Liga appearance, coming on as a substitute during Sevilla’s 4-2 loss to Real Madrid.

Though his playing days have come to an end, the legacy of Jesus Navas will forever resonate in the hearts of Sevilla fans and football enthusiasts worldwide.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca described his team’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday as “a strange game,” acknowledging that some football matches simply don’t go as planned. In remarks shared via the club’s website on Tuesday, the Italian coach reflected on the game, noting his team’s missed opportunities and Ipswich’s clinical performance.

The Blues created numerous chances at Portman Road, with Joao Felix having an offside goal disallowed and Cole Palmer striking the post in the first half. Despite their efforts, Ipswich secured victory through Liam Delap’s 12th-minute penalty and a second-half goal from former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson.

Maresca explained: “It was a bit of a strange game. We created so many chances in the first half, and in the first five or ten minutes of the second half, we had two clear opportunities: the header from Joao.

“Then I think the second goal killed the game a little bit. Sometimes, when you create so many chances, the post, the VAR, the goalkeeper’s saves, or defenders blocking shots, it just doesn’t go your way.

“It’s a shame because it was another chance for us, but congratulations to them. When you save so many shots on the line, with the goalkeeper or defenders, their desire to win was very high.”

The defeat marked Chelsea’s second consecutive loss under Maresca, following a 2-1 setback against Fulham on Boxing Day. The Blues have managed only one point from their last three matches, including a 0-0 draw with Everton on December 22.

Despite the recent struggles, Chelsea’s strong start to the season under Maresca has kept them in fourth place, just one point behind third-placed Arsenal and two points off Nottingham Forest in second.

Addressing questions about the team’s physical condition, Maresca dismissed concerns, saying: “No, tonight’s game, I don’t think it’s about physical condition. When you play and don’t create chances, then you could say we struggled physically, we weren’t fresh, or we weren’t good enough.

“But when you create so many chances—hitting the post, the amount of chances, VAR decisions—it's clear we were active. We started the second half strongly with two clear chances, but the second goal killed the game. Sometimes it’s just not your day.”

Chelsea will look to bounce back in their first game of the new year against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Blues have a mixed record against the Eagles, with two wins, two losses, and a draw in their last five meetings. The match presents an opportunity to reset and regain momentum as they aim to stay in contention for a top-four finish.

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has stated that Samuel Chukwueze’s injury played a key role in his team’s inability to secure a win against AS Roma in Sunday’s Serie A match.

Chukwueze, who had been included in the starting lineup, impressed in the tight contest but was forced to leave the field just two minutes after the hour mark due to injury.

Fonseca expressed that the player's departure disrupted the team’s strategy. “In the first half, we created several chances to score. The players showed a very fair attitude,” Fonseca commented after the match. “But with Chukwueze’s exit, we lost a lot and took many risks. We deserved to win, but we missed too many chances.”

READ ALSO: AC Milan Dismiss Coach Fonseca After Six-Month Tenure

AC Milan has parted ways with head coach Paulo Fonseca after just six months in charge, following a disappointing run of results that left the club far from its Serie A ambitions. The decision was announced on Monday, a day after Milan’s 1-1 draw with AS Roma, which dropped the team to seventh place in the league.

Fonseca, 51, preempted the news during his post-match press conference, revealing he had been dismissed before departing the San Siro. In a club statement, Milan confirmed the decision:

“AC Milan announces that Paulo Fonseca has been relieved from his duties as Head Coach of the Men’s First Team. The Club extends its gratitude to Paulo for his great professionalism and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.”

The former coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma, and Lille faced mounting pressure as Milan’s performances fell short of expectations. The team is currently eight points behind Lazio, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot, and 12 points behind rivals Inter Milan, who are vying for the title.

Sergio Conceicao, 50, is expected to step into the role. The Portuguese coach, who has Serie A experience as a former player, became available after ending his seven-year tenure at Porto earlier this year.

Fonseca’s tenure was marked by inconsistent form and tension within the squad. He frequently clashed with senior players, including public criticisms of star winger Rafael Leao and the controversial benching of full-back Theo Hernandez in favor of a teenage academy player during a goalless draw with Genoa.

Off-field issues also contributed to the growing unrest. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the club’s owners, US investment fund RedBird, during Milan’s 125th-anniversary celebrations on December 21. The event was overshadowed by poor on-pitch performance, the notable absence of legend Paolo Maldini, and protests from fans demanding the sale of the club.

Supporters later gathered outside a private party for the anniversary, jeering players and displaying banners reading, “A club with no ambition, you’re not worthy of our history.”

AC Milan, the seven-time European champions, hopes to turn their season around under new management. With Conceicao likely to bring fresh energy and experience, the club faces an uphill battle to reclaim its place among Serie A’s elite.