Keylor Navas Reflects on Greatness and Future Aspirations

omidbasir- Having shared a dressing room with footballing legends at both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Keylor Navas possesses a unique understanding of greatness in the sport. The veteran goalkeeper spent several years defending the goal behind Cristiano Ronaldo in Spain and later played alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in France. When asked to pinpoint the player with the most natural talent, however, Navas overlooked these renowned Ballon d’Or winners.

Navas, affectionately known as the “Flying Tico,” stated that Neymar is the player who has truly astounded him on the training pitch and during matches. Despite the illustrious careers of Messi and Ronaldo, he highlighted Neymar’s unpredictable creativity and two-footed skills as traits that distinguish him from every other teammate he has encountered throughout his two-decade career at the highest level.

“We are talking about great stars and the best of recent decades, but in terms of on-field talent, Neymar made a significant impact on me,” Navas remarked to AS. “He could maneuver the ball expertly, regardless of whether it was with his left or right foot. Watching him play felt reminiscent of my experiences playing with my children. Neymar is an incredible player.”

This commendation comes at a time when Neymar’s future in professional football is being scrutinized, as he has mentioned the possibility of retiring by the end of 2026 following a series of injuries.

Navas’s evaluation aligns with that of other football figures who have been captivated by Neymar’s style. Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has expressed similar sentiments, noting that Ronaldinho was the player who left a lasting impression on him. Navas shares this admiration for the Brazilian’s enchanting brand of football.

Now 39 and currently playing for Pumas in Mexico, Navas also discussed the longevity of fellow former Real Madrid stars, such as Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, who continue to thrive at AC Milan and Al-Nassr, respectively. When questioned about whether Modric or Ronaldo would retire before him, he responded, “You never know, but I can confirm that both are exceptional professionals. In football, there are no secrets or coincidences. They have both performed admirably, which is why they remain in peak form at their age.”

During his five years at Madrid, Navas secured three Champions League titles and a La Liga championship. However, his career trajectory could have been significantly altered in 2015 when a last-minute “fax machine” delay thwarted a transfer to Manchester United. “I received a call at home around four or five in the afternoon to discuss that option. The United coach, Louis van Gaal, tried to persuade me. After a family prayer, we left it in God’s hands, and when the fax did not arrive on time, it felt like an answer to our prayer,” he recounted regarding that unusual situation.

Staying at Madrid, Navas became a cornerstone of Zinedine Zidane’s squad, which achieved consecutive European titles from 2016 to 2018. He attributes that remarkable phase of success to Zidane’s exceptional ability to manage a team full of strong personalities. “Zidane’s way of managing groups and the confidence he instills in players is incredibly rare. We had no choice but to give 200% in training to respond to his leadership,” Navas stated.

At 39, Navas shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to excel with Pumas in Liga MX. While committed to his current endeavors in Mexico, he is already preparing for life after football, confirming his desire to return to Madrid, a city and club he holds dear.

Navas expressed his aspiration to remain involved with Real Madrid in some capacity once his playing days conclude. His strong connection to the city and the club serves as a primary motivation for his post-career plans. “I plan to play for a little while longer because I feel great, but my family and I are looking to return to Madrid because we love it there,” he concluded.