Former PSG goalkeeper set for Liga MX move

Reported by the likes of El Informador, Caliente TV, and La Teja, it is expected that the next step of the legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas' career could be in Mexico.

Playing a role as Real Madrid won three consecutive UEFA Champions League trophies between 2016 - 2018, Navas earned his move to Los Blancos after a stand-out display in the 2014 FIFA World Cup for Costa Rica.

Navas' career started in 2005, playing for Costa Rican side Saprissa Sports, where he won five top-flight titles, even winning a CONCACAF Champions League title in the Mexican Capital against Pumas UNAM.

In 2010, five years after making his debut, Navas switched Latin America for Europe by joining second-division Spanish side Albacete Balompié. He was forced to be sold after two seasons when the club faced relegation to the third division, with Navas' contract not permitting the shot-stopper to play below the second tier. As a result, his services were snapped up by La Liga side Levante in 2012.

An initial loan turned permanent, Navas became a household name in Spanish football, nominated for goalkeeper of the year in 2013, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois of Atlético Madrid and Willy Caballero of Málaga before winning the award a year later.

A stellar 2013/14 campaign was supported by an impressive World Cup run as he led Costa Rica into the competition in Brazil where they reached the Quarter Finals, before being knocked out on penalties to the Netherlands.

Just weeks after the World Cup, Navas made a dream move to the Spanish capital, joining the giants of Real Madrid. Signed under the tenure of Rafa Benítez, Navas was the club's first-choice goalkeeper, despite early attempts to replace him for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

In winning his three Champions League titles, Navas became the first and only Costa Rican to win the decorated award. In the last of the three titles, Navas won the best goalkeeper award in the competition, as Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev.

Ending a five year spell in Madrid, Navas added a La Liga title and a Spanish Supercup to go into his impressive trophy cabinet before switching the Spanish capital for Paris in 2019.

Despite being unable to add to his collection of Champions League awards, Navas added three Ligue 1 titles to his trophy cabinets, while also going to the Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest on loan in 2023.

The Costa Rican gave an emotional message on his Instagram to confirm that he would be leaving Paris at the age of 37. Fourteen years in Europe and Navas will leave the continent as a legend. As a serial winner, there has become a wide range of rumours regarding the next step of his legendary career, with many suspecting that Mexico will be next on his journey.

The reports suggest that Navas will sign with 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners Club León. This move will likely be announced before he represents Costa Rica this summer at the Copa América. If completed, it would be a move that would see the Costa Rican become teammates with Mexican legend Andrés Guardado. A player who was once his rival in Spain, with Guardado playing for Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia and Real Betis

The club had a below-par 2024 Clausura campaign, which saw the side win seven games from seventeen and finish in eleventh place, missing out on the play-in competition for a chance to compete in the post-season playoffs.

Before the Clausura season, the club featured in the FIFA World Cup where they lost 1-0 in the Quarter Final to Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds. The club qualified for the competition by defeating LA FC in the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2023.

If the move becomes a reality, Navas would likely replace current first-choice Rodolfo Cota, a 36-year-old veteran who has played for the club for six seasons after representing Chivas, Puebla and Pachuca.

Assuming Navas completes the move, his debut could be in the Leagues Cup, with León's first match scheduled against the Portland Timbers on Sunday 28th July 2024.