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At full time in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Sevilla on Tuesday evening, there were a number of Blues players who left the field feeling very happy with their efforts.

City finally announced themselves as a genuine European force with a display containing pace, incisiveness and tactical flexibility. It was by far their best Champions League performance to date, dominating from start to finish and comfortably beating a side who hadn’t lost at home in Europe for 12 matches.

However, for winger Jesus Navas, it was an extra special night. Navas signed a youth contract with Sevilla in 2000 and stayed until his move to City in 2013, making close to 400 appearances for the club. On Tuesday he gave arguably his best performance in a blue shirt in front of his old fans.

It’s the latest example of Navas’ improved form. Early in the campaign, he was on the receiving end of criticism from the City supporters for his perceived one-dimensional style.

Indeed, when his crossing breaks down, which it did spectacularly in the home defeat to West Ham in September, fans are left scratching their heads as to what he offers.

But Manuel Pellegrini, clearly, is a big admirer. Navas has featured in every Premier League game this season, and while many others in the City squad play a subtle passing game, Navas, who has blistering pace, stretches defences by hugging the touchline and playing a direct style.

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He helped turn the tide when introduced against and Borussia Monchengladbach and Newcastle, and was City’s best player in the home game against Seville. The tide of negative opinion may well be turning.

It looked at one stage as though he would never leave Seville. Navas, who joined his local club as a 15-year-old boy, suffered from severe homesickness, which would often manifest into debilitating panic attacks if he was too far away from Seville.

On one occasion, at a training camp just an hour’s drive away from his home, he had to be collected by his father and brother after a chronic bout of anxiety struck.

He would opt out of pre-season tours, and when he was first called up to the Spanish under-21 side, he had to leave early. He was selected again but this time pulled out before departing.

He retired from international football before he’d even earned a senior cap.

He began to seek professional help, though, and in 2010 he made Spain’s World Cup squad in South Africa. Vicente del Bosque’s side won the tournament. He then made their Euro 2012 team and again they triumphed.

Footballers aren’t supposed to suffer from anxiety attacks. Mental fortitude, we’re so often told, is key to sporting success.

But Navas’ struggle was very real. Overcoming his anxiety issues not only shows his strength of character, but also highlights an issue so often ignored. While physical health problems are openly and intelligently discussed, society still has a problem engaging with the issue of mental health.

Navas is a player who has overcome so much to become an international and Premier League footballer. Now it seems his value to City is being recognised on the terraces.