Background on Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas, a Costa Rican goalkeeper formerly of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is reported to be joining Mexico’s Liga MX club Pumas for $2 million, according to Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys.
Navas’ Career Highlights
- Debuted professionally in 2005 with Saprissa, one of Costa Rica’s most successful and popular teams.
- Joined the Costa Rican national team in 2008 and moved to Europe with Albacete in 2010.
- Gained prominence with Levante from 2011 to 2014, which led to his transfer to Real Madrid for €10 million.
- With Real Madrid, Navas won three UEFA Champions Leagues and four FIFA Club World Cups under managers Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.
- Transferred to PSG in 2019 for €15 million, where he won ten titles but none internationally.
- His decline began when Gianluigi Donnarumma took his starting position at PSG, leading to a loan move to Nottingham Forest in England.
- After six months without a club, Navas joined Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, playing 16 matches.
Current Situation at Pumas
Pumas currently face a goalkeeping crisis, as their intended starter Álex Padilla returned to Athletic Bilbao just before the season. Rodrigo Parra took over but made critical errors in his first two matches, leading to losses for the team.
Pumas have filled their nine non-Mexican formed (NFM) spots with Rubén Duarte, Nathan Silva, Álvaro Angulo, José Caicedo, Aaron Ramsey, Piero Quispe, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Leo Suárez, and Pedro Vite. To accommodate Navas, one player will need to be released.
Pumas are currently last in the league table after two matches in the Apertura 2025 season.
Ex-Real Madrid Players in Liga MX
If Navas joins Pumas, he would join a group of former Real Madrid players from the Zinedine Zidane era in Liga MX, including:
- Sergio Ramos with Monterrey
- James Rodríguez with León
- Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández with Chivas
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Keylor Navas? A Costa Rican goalkeeper with an illustrious career, having played for Real Madrid and PSG.
- Why is Navas moving to Pumas? Due to a goalkeeping crisis at Pumas, with their intended starter returning to Athletic Bilbao and the current backup making critical errors.
- What are Pumas’ current challenges? They have filled their NFM spots and are last in the league table after two matches.
- Which other ex-Real Madrid players are active in Liga MX? Sergio Ramos (Monterrey), James Rodríguez (León), and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández (Chivas).
