Keylor Navas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Keylor Navas

Navas celebrating after winning the 2018 UEFA Champions League final with Real Madrid
Personal information
Full name	Keilor Antonio Navas Gamboa
Date of birth	(1986-12-15) 15 December 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Newell's Old Boys
Number	1
Youth career
1999–2005	Saprissa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2010	Saprissa	73	(0)
2010–2012	Albacete	36	(0)
2011–2012	→ Levante (loan)	1	(0)
2012–2014	Levante	46	(0)
2014–2019	Real Madrid	104	(0)
2019–2024	Paris Saint-Germain	75	(0)
2023	→ Nottingham Forest (loan)	17	(0)
2025–	Newell's Old Boys	14	(0)
International career‡
2003	Costa Rica U17	3	(0)
2006	Costa Rica U21	6	(0)
2008–	Costa Rica	121	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:03, 4 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:14, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

Keylor Navas is a famous Costa Rican professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for the club Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. He also plays for the Costa Rica national team. Many people think he is one of the best goalkeepers of his time. He is also considered one of Costa Rica's greatest players ever.

Navas started playing football in his home country at Deportivo Saprissa. He won many titles there. Later, he moved to Spain and played for Albacete and Levante. At Levante, he was named the best goalkeeper in the league. In 2014, he joined Real Madrid, a huge club. There, he won many important trophies, including three UEFA Champions League titles in a row.

In 2019, Navas moved to the French club Paris Saint-Germain. He continued to win titles there and even played in another Champions League final. He has played over 120 games for Costa Rica since 2008. He has represented his country in three FIFA World Cup tournaments. His amazing saves helped Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 2014.

Navas has won many individual awards for being a top goalkeeper. He was named the best CONCACAF Men's Goalkeeper for three years in a row. He was also chosen as the best UEFA goalkeeper in 2018.

Club Football Journey

Starting at Saprissa

Keylor Navas was born in San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica. He began his professional football career with Deportivo Saprissa. His first game was on November 6, 2005. He became the main goalkeeper in his last two seasons with the club. During this time, he helped Saprissa win six national championships. He also won the 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Navas was part of the Saprissa team that finished third in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship.

Playing for Albacete

In July 2010, Navas moved to Spain. He signed with Albacete Balompié, a team in the Segunda División (second division). He played in 36 games during his first season. However, his team was moved down to a lower league after finishing last.

Time at Levante

Navas playing for Levante in 2013

For the 2011–12 season, Navas joined Levante UD on loan. This meant he got to play in La Liga, Spain's top football league. He played his first La Liga game on May 13, 2012. Levante won that game 3–0, which helped them qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time. In July 2012, he signed a three-year contract with Levante.

Navas became Levante's main goalkeeper in the 2013–14 season. He was even nominated as one of the league's best goalkeepers. He won the award for best goalkeeper that season. In March 2014, he was named the La Liga Player of the Month. He was the first goalkeeper to ever win this award. He made the most saves in La Liga that season.

Joining Real Madrid

Navas giving directions to Real Madrid's defence.

First Season at Real Madrid (2014–15)

On August 3, 2014, Real Madrid bought Navas for €10 million. He signed a six-year contract with the famous club. His first game for Real Madrid was on September 23, 2014. They won 5–1 against Elche. He also played his first UEFA Champions League game on November 26, 2014. His team won 1–0 against FC Basel. In December, he was on the bench when Real Madrid won the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup. Because of his great performances, he won the Player of the Year award at the 2014 CONCACAF Awards. He was the first Costa Rican and first goalkeeper to win it.

Winning the Champions League (2015–16)

Navas with Real Madrid in 2016

When Iker Casillas, another famous goalkeeper, left Real Madrid, Navas took over his number 1 shirt. Navas became the regular starting goalkeeper. He helped the team win the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. He was the first Costa Rican and Central American to play in and win a Champions League final. Navas set a new record for Real Madrid in the Champions League. He did not let in any goals in his first eight games. He was the best goalkeeper in the 2015–16 Champions League season. He only let in three goals in 12 games.

More Trophies with Real Madrid (2016–17)

Navas was the starting goalkeeper when Real Madrid won both the 2016–17 La Liga title and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. On January 29, 2017, Navas became the first player from Costa Rica to play 100 La Liga games. His strong performances helped him win the Player of the Year award for the second time at the 2017 CONCACAF Awards.

Third Champions League Title (2017–18)

Navas played his 100th game for Real Madrid in August 2017. During the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, he started eleven games. Real Madrid won their third Champions League title in a row. They beat Liverpool 3–1 in the final. This win was Navas's 100th victory for Real Madrid. He made some amazing saves in the Champions League, especially against Bayern Munich. The Bayern Munich manager even said Navas was the reason Real Madrid qualified for the final.

Final Season at Real Madrid (2018–19)

In Navas's fifth season at Real Madrid, another top goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, joined the team. Navas still started the first game of the 2018–19 La Liga season. He kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win. His great play in the Champions League led him to be voted the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season. On April 6, 2019, Navas became the first non-Spanish goalkeeper to play 100 La Liga games for Real Madrid.

Moving to Paris Saint-Germain

On September 2, 2019, Navas joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France. He signed a four-year contract. He was the first Costa Rican to play for the men's team. He played his first game for PSG 12 days later, keeping a clean sheet. On July 24, 2020, Navas won his 20th club trophy when PSG won the Coupe de France. He also helped PSG win the 2020 Coupe de la Ligue Final by saving a penalty in a shootout. This win gave Navas 15 trophies in Europe, matching a record for a CONCACAF player. On August 23, 2020, Navas played in his fourth Champions League final, but PSG lost 1–0 to Bayern Munich.

Navas started his second season with PSG after recovering from COVID-19. On September 16, 2020, he played his first game of the season and kept a clean sheet. In January 2021, Navas won the 2020 Trophée des Champions. With this win, he became the CONCACAF player with the most European trophies (16). In April 2021, Navas was voted the Ligue 1 Player of the Month for March. He signed a contract with PSG until 2024.

Before the 2021–22 season, PSG signed another goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. This meant Navas had competition for his spot. For the 2022–23 season, the new coach confirmed that Navas would be the second-choice goalkeeper.

Loan to Nottingham Forest

On January 31, 2023, Navas joined Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on loan. He played for them until the end of the season. He made his debut on February 5, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. He was named player of the match in that game.

After returning to PSG, Navas was part of their Champions League team for the 2023–24 season. On May 11, 2024, he announced he would leave PSG at the end of the season.

Newell's Old Boys

On January 21, 2025, Navas joined Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. He made his debut a month later, on February 2, in a 1–0 win.

International Career for Costa Rica

Youth and Early Senior Games

Navas played for the Costa Rica national team in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He was first called up to the senior national team in August 2006. His first official game for Costa Rica was on October 11, 2008. Costa Rica won 4–1. He helped the team reach the semi-finals of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was named the best goalkeeper in that tournament.

2014 FIFA World Cup Success

Navas and Giancarlo González celebrating Costa Rica's victory over Uruguay at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Navas played his first FIFA World Cup game on June 14, 2014. Costa Rica won 3–1 against Uruguay. He played in all three group games and only let in one goal. Costa Rica won their group for the first time ever.

In the next round, against Greece, Navas was named the best player of the match. He made many saves and stopped a penalty kick. This helped Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. He finished the tournament with three clean sheets (no goals conceded) in five games. Costa Rica was eventually knocked out by the Netherlands after a penalty shootout. Navas was named man of the match for the third time. He was also one of three players nominated for the Golden Glove Award, which is given to the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups

Navas during Costa Rica's World Cup match against Brazil in 2018.

In May 2018, Navas was chosen for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad. He started all three group games for Costa Rica.

In November 2022, Navas was again part of the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In Costa Rica's first game, they lost to Spain. However, in their second game against Japan, Navas kept a clean sheet, and Costa Rica won 1–0. Costa Rica lost their third group game against Germany and finished fourth in their group.

Retirement and Return to International Play

Navas played his last international match on March 26, 2024, in a friendly game against Argentina. On May 23, 2024, Navas announced he was retiring from the national team.

However, in May 2025, he announced he would return to international football. He was then included in Costa Rica's team for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Playing Style

Many experts consider Keylor Navas one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Some even say he is the best in CONCACAF history. Navas is known for being very energetic and agile in goal. He has quick reflexes and is excellent at stopping shots. These skills help him make up for not being as tall as some other goalkeepers. He is also praised for playing very well in important matches. He often makes difficult and crucial saves for his team when it matters most.

In 2017, a former goalkeeper named Manuel Almunia called Navas a "prototype model" goalkeeper. He said Navas is "spectacular between the posts, brave, skillful, and very agile." He also noted that Navas stays focused and is intelligent.

Personal Life

Keylor Navas grew up in a family that didn't have much money in San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica. He is a very religious Christian. He has spoken about his faith, saying, "God for me comes first. Before every game, I kneel, open my arms, and pray." On December 3, 2014, Navas announced that he had become a Spanish citizen.

Navas married Andrea Salas in 2009. They have three children: Daniela, Mateo, and Thiago. Daniela is Andrea's daughter from a previous relationship, making Navas her stepfather.

A documentary film about Navas's life, called Hombre de Fe (Man of Faith), was released on December 28, 2017.

His half-brother, Eder Navas, is also a footballer who plays for Saprissa.

In 2022, Navas earned a master's degree in sport management from the Johan Cruyff Institute.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Navas playing for Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Awards and Achievements

Navas (front row, with green uniform) celebrating Real Madrid's victory at the 2018 UEFA Champions League final. He is one of seven goalkeepers to win the title a record three times.

Saprissa

• Primera Division de Costa Rica: 2005–06, 2006–07, Invierno 2007, Verano 2008, Invierno 2008, Verano 2010

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2016–17
• Supercopa de España: 2017
• UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
• Coupe de France: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2023–24
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2019–20
• Trophée des Champions: 2020, 2022, 2023
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2019–20

Costa Rica

• UNCAF Nations Cup runner-up: 2009, 2011

Individual Awards

• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Goalkeeper: 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament Team: 2009
• La Liga Player of the Month: March 2014
• LFP Awards Best Goalkeeper: 2013–14
• UNFP Player of the Month: March 2021
• ESM Team of the Year: 2015–16
• CONCACAF Men's Player of the Year: 2014, 2017
• Trofeo EFE: 2016
• CONCACAF Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018
• CONCACAF Best XI: 2016, 2017, 2018
• Facebook FA La Liga Best Goalkeeper: 2016
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18
• UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: 2017–18
• Ibero-American Community Trophy: 2017
• IFFHS CONCACAF Best Man Player of the Decade: 2011–2020
• IFFHS CONCACAF Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
• UNFP Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year: 2020–21
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2020–21

See also

In Spanish: Keylor Navas para niños