Jesús Navas was part of Spain's squad when they won the World Championship in 2010.
Tonight, Navas will start in the semifinal against France, 14 years later.
I'm just so happy to be here, said the 38-year-old at a press conference.
Sevilla player Jesús Navas is the only player in Spain's European Championship squad who won the World Championship in 2010.
Back then, Navas was 24 years old and played as a winger. He started two matches in the group stage and made a substitute appearance in the final.
Those years were incredible considering what we achieved. The team we had and the group we formed on and off the pitch – we were so strong and it helped us achieve success those years, beyond the football we played which was fantastic, said Navas at a press conference earlier during the championship.
The fast winger with high running capacity didn't quite fit in the then tiki-taka Spain.
Today, Navas is a 38-year-old right-back. His runs up and down the right flank fit better in today's Spain where it's all about quick transitions.
But in competition with Real Madrid player Dani Carvajal, he has only played in the last group stage match against Albania, when national team coach Luis de la Fuente rotated the entire team.
I contribute in any way I can, it's fantastic to be here and I just want to help my teammates. We all contribute, both the older and the younger ones. We are a family here, we are a very good group, and that's how you achieve success, said Navas.
In the semifinal against France, Carvajal is suspended, which again opens up for Navas.
The 38-year-old will then face France's 13-year younger superstar Kylian Mbappé.
The striker has had problems during the championship, after breaking his nose in the opening match against Austria, and has only scored one goal – from the penalty spot.
It could open up for Jesús Navas himself to get a hero role in Spain.
