Keylor Navas is now officially with Mexico club Pumas. Confirmation had earlier come through Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys, with whom the Costa Rica shotstopper had played in the previous season. It had been a short and brief announcement from their end about his leaving. It didn’t take much time when it also clearly emerged: Navas would play in the next season with Mexican soccer.
Now, 38, after a 15-year sojourn in Europe, the veteran former PSG and Real Madrid goalkeeper now finds himself in the region where his career began. It’s another move for him in his extremely long career. Yet, much, much bigger than the move itself is the manner in which everything concluded in Argentina.
Tense departure
Newell's comment wasn't a standard adios. It reinforced respect for a collectively agreed course of action based on professionalism, dedication, and shared ideals. Such a comment implied there was something in Navas' attitude in opposition to the club leadership. As a matter of fact, Argentine newspapers wrote about friction between him and the front office in advance.
The paragraph in which they say “prioritising the group over the individual” sounded like the tone-setter. It sounded barely much like a neutral departure. It sounded much like a notice with heft behind it. All signs are there there is a misalignment in Navas’ personality with the template the club desires.
Fifteen top-level European seasons
He made his European soccer move following his remarkable performance in the World Cup in Brazil in the year 2014. He previously played for Levante and Albacete, but with the national team in Costa Rica, he made his mark in the international scene. His World Cup marked his starting point in his career with Real Madrid where he played a full five years and collected 11 titles.
Longest among these were three consecutive championships in the Champions League in the period ranging from 2016 until 2018. During the period, he played as an first-choice goalkeeper for his team, making crucial saves in high-profile games. After leaving the team in Madrid, he signed for PSG, remained in the first team, and kept performing on a high note in the top European competitions.
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A South American soccer resurgence happened towards the end of his career. Navas committed with Newell's in 2023, hoping his experience would stabilize the team and provide a bit of leadership. On the pitch, everything stayed calm. Off, it didn’t. Comparisons with team businessmen increased during the latest months and eventually concluded in parting through.
Now with Pumas, Navas faces a competitive league with good domestic coverage and a cooler climate than in Europe. It also offers him a longer on-the-pitch time, wearing the jersey for a respected club with good organization and passionate fan support.